Tag Archives: Elections


Religious-Right Leaders Say Santorum, But Voters Flock to Gingrich – The Daily Beast

Just last week, Rick Santorum received a much-vaunted endorsement representing the collective wisdom of more than 100 conservative evangelical leaders ranging from Tony Perkins to James Dobson to Gary Bauer. Where their benediction fell, their flocks were sure to go—or … Continue reading

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Three Things to Watch in South Carolina Primary

All presidential primaries matter, but some matter more than most. South Carolina has voted for the eventual winner of the Republican nomination since 1980. And for the conservative candidates looking to stop the inevitability narrative that has surrounded Mitt Romney’s … Continue reading

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Stop Stereotyping South Carolina – CNN.com

We’re in the thick of the South Carolina Republican Primary, and all the ugly old stereotypes are being deployed as shorthand for one very beautiful state. You know, the characterization of South Carolina as a swamp of sleazy politics and … Continue reading

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How ‘5 Things to Watch’ Turned Out – CNN.com

In the run-up to the New Hampshire primary, I wrote a column on the five things to look at while the votes came in. Now we’ve got the results, and here’s how it played out: • Romney’s benchmark — Mitt … Continue reading

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Evangelicals at the Crossroads in South Carolina – The Daily Beast

Two Mormons, two Catholics, and two Protestants walk into a South Carolina church asking for votes. No, it’s not a bad joke—it’s the current state of play in the pivotal South Carolina Republican primary. It’s an unprecedented situation and a … Continue reading

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Romney Ready for Prime Time After New Hampshire Primary – The Daily Beast

Mitt Romney scored a strong victory Tuesday night in New Hampshire, just exceeding John McCain’s 2008 vote total of 37 percent and beating third-place finisher Jon Huntsman by 20 points.

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New Hampshire – All About the Independents

New Hampshire is all about the independents. And that’s why it’s the best test of general election electability. While Iowa’s caucuses are disproportionately dominated by social conservatives, in New Hampshire’s open primary, independents can vote — and they make up … Continue reading

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Five things to watch in New Hampshire – CNN.com

Game day is here — the New Hampshire primary is under way. Here are five things to look for that could determine the election outcome and the shape of the GOP field going forward:

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Jon Huntsman Earns His Applause at Sunday’s N.H. Debate – The Daily Beast

Jon Huntsman had his best debate right on time—two days before New Hampshire votes. And Mitt Romney had his worst debate Sunday morning, finally coming under sustained and substantive fire from his competitors, as well as the debate moderator, Meet … Continue reading

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Strengthening Job Market Lifts Economy, Obama’s Reelection Hopes – The Daily Beast

The U.S. economy is showing new signs of growth—and that’s great news for the country as well as President Obama’s reelection effort. Friday morning, it was announced that the economy added 200,000 jobs in December, lowering the unemployment rate to … Continue reading

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Rick Santorum’s One Good Idea: No Corporate Taxes for U.S. Manufacturers – The Daily Beast

There’s a lot not to like about Rick Santorum on the social-issues front. He’s an anti-abortion absolutist, no fan of gay rights, and possesses politics so influenced by faith that even contraception remains controversial in his mind. But Rick Santorum … Continue reading

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After Iowa, Can Mitt Romney Regain the Momentum? – The Daily Beast

Santorum and Romney. David and Goliath. Behind the virtual tie in Iowa—technically an eight-vote win for Romney—was a moral victory for Rick Santorum, surging from the back of the back despite being dramatically outspent by Mitt Romney. Now Iowa is … Continue reading

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Iowa Caucus — Myths and Reality – CNN

It has become a great American tradition, an act of small-town civics, an example of direct democracy in action where citizens get to meet presidential candidates multiple times. But it is also an overhyped media circus, which helps give Iowa … Continue reading

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Mitt Romney’s Humor Problem – CNN.com

“I live for laughter,” said Mitt Romney, unconvincingly. But there’s no question that highlighting Mitt’s alleged inner jokester is a now part of Team Romney’s charm offensive, designed to humanize their sometimes robotic candidate. This effort extends beyond the surgical … Continue reading

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How Ballot Access Laws Hurt Voters – CNN.com

Only two Republican presidential candidates will appear on the ballot in Virginia next year, regardless of how many are in the race. Mitt Romney and Ron Paul will have the Dominion State all to themselves. Supporters of Newt Gingrich, Rick … Continue reading

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Sen. Ben Nelson’s Retirement Signals Twilight of Blue Dog Democrats – The Daily Beast

The Blue Dog pack is thinning. Centrist Democrats saw their ranks cut in half after the 2010 midterm elections. Now, with Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson’s announcement that he will not seek reelection, an endangered species warning is appropriate. This is … Continue reading

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Why Trump Can’t Run as an Independent – CNN.com

Among the political threats wielded by Donald Trump in his carnival barker quest for the presidency is that if denied the Republican nomination, he would run as an independent. As an independent myself, I usually cheer the prospect of any … Continue reading

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Romney Embraces Center-Right Record as Gingrich Firms Up Conservative Cred – The Daily Beast

Mitt Romney’s strange tack in the final Iowa debate was to speak to a New Hampshire and national audience. For perhaps the first time in this campaign, he unapologetically framed his Massachusetts record as a center-right leader who could achieve … Continue reading

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GOP, it’s time to give Huntsman another look – CNN.com

The “conservagencia” is starting to give Jon Huntsman a second look. He deserves it. But the stirrings of respect may be too little, too late. Too bad, because he might stand the best chance of beating President Barack Obama. RINO … Continue reading

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GOP Would Have Had Better Shot in 2012 With Center-Right Pols Like Christie – The Daily Beast

Imagine them all clustered in a roadhouse, having a beer around sunset, shaking their heads over the lost opportunity. There on the bench are Chris Christie, Mitch Daniels, Paul Ryan, Jeb Bush, and my former boss, Rudy Giuliani. On TV … Continue reading

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