Politics & Poker: History Dictates if the House Flips, the Senate Goes Too

March 16, 12 a.m.

Do Republicans have any chance of winning back the Senate in November?
The answer to that question, strange as it sounds, may lie in the battle for control of the House. Not since 1930 has control of the House flipped without the Senate flipping also. On the other hand, control of the Senate has changed hands a couple of times since World War II without the House flipping — think, most recently, of 1980 (or, with an asterisk, of 2000).

Politics & Poker: Time for N.Y.’s Old Guard of Black Leaders to Step Aside

March 2, 12 a.m.

New York Gov. David Paterson's (D) woes are just the tip of the iceberg: Several African-American political leaders in the Empire State are in trouble right now.

Politics & Poker: No Shortage of Political Scions Dotting 2010 Map

Feb. 16, 12 a.m.

With his surprising defeat two weeks ago in the Republican primary in Illinois’ 14th district, attorney Ethan Hastert joins an ever-growing fraternity: political scions who fail in their bids to follow famous family members into elective office.

Politics & Poker: Spirit of Phillip Burton Will Watch Over Redistricting

Feb. 2, 12 a.m.

Every decade, Congressional redistricting in California is a very big deal. Why wouldn’t it be, when you’re talking about 12 percent of the seats in the House of Representatives?

Politics & Poker: Will Any Democrats Call for Reid to Go?

Jan. 12, 12 a.m.

The language of sports and politics are nauseatingly similar.
It’s no small irony that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) latest foot-in-mouth episode came during advance publicity for a new book about the 2008 presidential campaign called “Game Change.” Because it’s a game change that the Democrats desperately need now after an avalanche of bad political news over the past several weeks.

Politics & Poker: Reid Is at Top of Republicans’ 2010 List of Targets

Dec. 8, 12 a.m.

Leave it to Dick Wadhams, the pugnacious Republican strategist now serving as Colorado GOP chairman, to boldly say what most Republicans have been thinking about Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Politics & Poker: ‘Michael J’ Working to Help ADA Move On Up

Nov. 23, 12 a.m.

In the color-coded spectrum of modern-day politics, Americans for Democratic Action is, naturally, a deep blue.

Politics & Poker: Self-Funders Could Influence Several ’10 Contests

Nov. 10, 12 a.m.

News of the demise of the self-funder has been grossly exaggerated.

Politics & Poker: Conservatives Hoping for Repeat of 1970 Senate Outcome

Oct. 27, 12 a.m.

In theory, Republicans’ decision to back state Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava (R) in the special election to replace former Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) was sound.

Politics & Poker: GOP Gains in ’10 Inevitable, but How Big Will They Be?

Oct. 13, 12 a.m.

On Oct. 21, the liberal think tank Third Way is sponsoring the D.C. premiere of the new documentary film “HouseQuake.”

Politics & Poker: Democrats Could Solve Two Problems at Once

Sept. 29, 12 a.m.

Problem: Rep. Charlie Rangel (D), the dean of the New York Congressional delegation, faces myriad questions, including a House ethics committee investigation, about his finances, spoiling Democratic leaders’ argument that they represent something other than business as usual on Capitol Hill.

Politics & Poker: Kennedy Special Lacks Ingredients for Marquee Battle

Sept. 15, 12 a.m.

The thrill is gone. Just days ago, the special election to replace the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) looked as if it would be one for the ages — much like Kennedy himself.

Politics & Poker: Thanks to Obama, the ‘L’ Word Is Back in Vogue

July 28, 12 a.m.

Somewhere, if he’s capable of it, Arthur Finkelstein, the bare-knuckle brawler of a Republican consultant, is smiling.

Politics & Poker: Some Members Relish Always-a-Bridesmaid Role

July 14, 12 a.m.

Dan Glickman, the former Kansas Congressman and Clinton-era secretary of Agriculture, is the chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, so it’s appropriate to make a movie reference here.

Politics & Poker: Eternal Primary Debate — Are They Good or Bad?

June 23, 12 a.m.

A couple of weeks after persuading Rep. Steve Israel (D) not to challenge appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) because he worried that a bloody primary would hurt the Democrats’ ability to hold on to the New York Senate seat, President Barack Obama sent a letter to his Virginia supporters on behalf of Creigh Deeds, the new Democratic gubernatorial nominee in the Old Dominion.

Politics & Poker: Redeeming Clinton’s Brand in Obama Age

June 9, 12 a.m.

Every time there’s a picture in the paper of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in some far-off location, it’s hard not to think of that scene in the movie “Broadcast News” when producer Jane Craig, played by Holly Hunter, dispatches a rival for William Hurt’s affections to Alaska to cover a lengthy trial. The only time this woman is ever heard from again is when she’s making an occasional stand-up report, all bundled up, from snow-bound Nome, or wherever it is.

Politics & Poker: Paul’s Group Plans to Be Involved in 2010 Elections

May 26, 12 a.m.

He’s out there somewhere. Somewhere, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is out there, talking up freedom and the Constitution, tut-tutting the state of the economy, taking aim at the Federal Reserve, inciting his fervent supporters to ... something.

Politics & Poker: Ball Invites Scrutiny With ‘Google Me!’

May 12, 12 a.m.

'Google me!”
New York Assemblyman Greg Ball says this more than a few times in a recent conversation with writers and editors from Roll Call and the Rothenberg Political Report.

Politics & Poker: ACORN Aims for 1 Million ‘Member Families’

April 28, 12 a.m.

Shortly after Michael Steele was elected chairman of the Republican National Committee in late January, a woman named Bertha Lewis phoned to congratulate him.

Politics & Poker: Are Sins of His Father Being Visited on Dodd?

April 21, 12 a.m.

Psychologists and political historians should be having a field day in Connecticut right now.

Politics & Poker: Paterson, Burris Jeopardize Otherwise Safe Seats

March 31, 12 a.m.

Chances are good that whenever Michael Steele, the new Republican National Committee chairman, walks into a room full of party faithful, he’s the only African-American.

Politics & Poker: A Political Dynasty Searches for New Royalty

March 17, 12 a.m.

It wasn’t all that long ago that Time magazine devoted a cover spread to “The New Kennedys” — the next generation of the storied Democratic family who were going to carry the political legacy of Jack, Bobby and Teddy to new and dizzying heights in the 21st century.