Health Care and the Obama Presidency: A Giant Squander?

There’s no doubt that, as midterms go, President Obama has not fared well. In 2010, his Democratic Party lost 63 House seats – the biggest midterm loss in that chamber since 1938 – and with it control of the House to the Republicans. Although they also lost six Senate seats, Democrats were at least able […]…Continue Reading Health Care and the Obama Presidency: A Giant Squander?

Why The Economy Didn’t Help Democrats

I’m up today at U.S. News with a piece that examines why the improving economy did not help Democrats in the 2014 midterms even though economic growth was the primary reason Obama won reelection in 2012. Briefly, I think there are three related explanations: First, as I noted in this Bloomberg interview, voters’ negative perceptions […]…Continue Reading Why The Economy Didn’t Help Democrats

Are Democrats Really Running From Obama?

Are Democrats really running from Obama in this election cycle? In a recent column liberal-leaning columnist Paul Waldman argued that, as the article’s title puts it, the “‘Democrats running from Obama story’ is being way overplayed.” Waldman’s basic point is that while Obama is not particularly popular – his approval ratings are hovering in the […]…Continue Reading Are Democrats Really Running From Obama?

What Does Tuesday’s Special Florida Election Tell Us About the Upcoming Midterms?

Many analysts viewed last Tuesday’s special House election in Florida’s 13th district to replace longtime Republican Congressman Bill Young as a bellwether for the upcoming 2014 midterm congressional elections, particularly because they expected Obamacare to be the central issue in … Continue reading Continue Reading What Does Tuesday’s Special Florida Election Tell Us About the Upcoming Midterms?