Despite sweeping pessimism about the nation’s fortunes and his own sliding approval ratings, President Obama leads potential Republican rivals Mitt Romney and Rick Perry in hypothetical general-election matchups, according to a …
2012 Election
David Axelrod Seeks Synonyms for ‘Flip-Flop’
The Obama Campaign’s senior strategist, David Axelrod, held a midday conference call with reporters on Wednesday that was mostly focused on coming up with new ways of calling Mitt Romney a rudderless panderer without any fixed principles. He even went so far as to quote George Burns: “All you need to succeed in show business is …
Can Perry Win If He Can’t Debate?
Can Rick Perry win the nomination if he can’t win a debate? Sure, there’ve been candidates who’ve won office after losing debates. Both Al Gore and John Kerry were deemed the winners of their rounds with George W. Bush. And remember Barack Obama’s dismal debate performances for the first dozen or so of the whopping 26 Democratic …
Even the Aggie Faithful Buck Perry on Immigration
Texas Aggies are famous for their loyalty and their adherence to tradition. The sight of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band marching to martial airs swells the chest of any A&M alumnus, but that does’t mean they all walk in lockstep …
Reality Check: The Cain Train Is Going to Wreck
Herman Cain seemed to enjoy his turn auditioning for the role of Mitt Romney’s chief foil Tuesday night. Luxuriating at the center of the table thanks to surging poll numbers, he basked in the attention of his rivals as every …
What You Missed at the GOP’s Dartmouth Debate: Used Milk and the Texas Turtle
0 minutes. It’s debate night in America, again. This is not exciting. What is exciting is that Charlie Rose is standing on a stage and the background is not black. It’s a trick that no one ever thought was possible before, …
In Dartmouth Debate, Romney Coasts as Cain Gets His Big Night
The settings of the Republican presidential primary debates have shifted, as have the roles played by each candidate and the amount of intra-party flak flung about. But the fundamentals remain unchanged: Mitt Romney is sailing …
A New Debate Night Dynamic: Herman Cain vs. Mitt Romney
I never thought I’d see a headline like this one, but that’s where we stand this afternoon as the Republicans prepare for their latest debate tonight in New Hampshire. At the moment, all the energy and momentum in the primary …
Chris Christie Endorses Mitt Romney
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie endorsed Mitt Romney’s presidential bid on Tuesday afternoon the latest jolt of momentum for a campaign that steadily gathered strength with less than three months before the first wave of …
Believe It or Not, the Left Is Still Behind Obama
With Zuccotti Park occupied, Obama’s approval ratings on the economy reaching new lows, and liberal columnists offering daily critiques of what they saw as a stunted stimulus and toothless Wall Street reforms, one can understand …
How the Shrinking Primary Calendar Boosts Romney’s Chances
The Florida GOP’s decision to defy Republican Party rules by slating its presidential primary for Jan. 31 has touched off a cascade of scheduling decisions that will compress the primary calendar. South Carolina party bosses, …
Ron Paul Backers Picket Romney Supporter Under “Tea Party” Guise
For the most part, the Tea Party’s leaderless structure has been a source of strength. But it has also caused problems, such as when a clown bearing the movement’s brand spews bile that reflects poorly on its brand. When you resist defining who speaks for the Tea Party, anyone can claim the movement’s imprimatur for their own ends. That …
Presidential Debate Overload
On the eve of yet another Republican presidential debate, Fred Barnes makes an important point in the Wall Street Journal: Presidential debates have acquired a ridiculously outsized role in the nominating process:
The debates
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