All DC Decoder
Republican wave extends to governors' mansions in bright blue statesMaryland, Massachusetts, and Illinois are among the Democratic-leaning states who elected Republican governors Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the tea party backlash that had been predicted in Wisconsin and Kansas failed to emerge.
With 2014 won, GOP looks ahead to next race: 'to turn this country around'More than anything else, the 2016 presidential election will determine how Republicans manage their new majority in the US Senate and their even stronger grip on the House.
Midterm elections results: Why Republicans crushed DemocratsThe Democrats had no compelling message to counter the Republicans' anti-Obama outcry. And the Democrats' vaunted turnout operation fizzled.
How gun rights for 鈥榬estless natives鈥� became a stealth battle in Election 2014The midterm elections feature a highly funded clash over gun rights, with gun-control groups, for the first time, matching the NRA in support for candidates who back their views.
Catchiest campaign ads of 2014: nine pitches that made an impression What do Barry Manilow, skeet shooting, and driving a car in reverse have to do with the 2014 US elections? Well, this campaign season had no shortage of interesting TV ads 鈥� including ones with the motifs just mentioned. Here鈥檚 an election-season recap through the lens of ads that have had an influence on voters.
What will happen on Election Day? 5 scenarios for the Senate.There are so many tossup races and so many variables still in play for the Senate on Election Day, that anything is possible, from an outright Republican takeover to a 50-50 split.
How can Congress fix itself? It should stop trying to fix itself.Congress has tried to reform itself in the past, usually with good intentions. But few are impressed with the results. That speaks to a need to acknowledge how Congress works.- Will Republican wave hit Senate on Election Day? History offers clues.Tossup races tend to tilt in one direction on Election Day, an expert notes. There are 10 Senate tossup races Tuesday, and late polling is trending toward Republicans.
Did 'tea party' governors go too far? Voters are about to weigh in.In an election that looks promising for Republicans in Congress and state legislatures, a number of Republican governors could lose.
Senate elections 101: The big Kansas issue Pat Roberts isn't talking aboutAgriculture is Kansas鈥檚 bread-and-butter issue, literally. But Sen. Pat Roberts (R) 鈥� potential chair of the Agriculture Committee 鈥� is barely talking about it.
Senate elections 101: N.H. shapes up as carpetbagger vs. rubber stampNew Hampshire's Senate candidates, Republican Scott Brown and incumbent Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, have defined each other clearly.
Senate elections 101: In remote Alaska, remotest places could be crucialTo fend off his Republican challenger, Democratic Alaska Sen. Mark Begich is depending on rural voters and rural issues.
Senate elections 101: Arkansas considers ending its blue-state legacyArkansas was the last blue bastion in the South. Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor's campaign rests on getting voters to think locally instead of nationally.
Senate elections 101: North Carolina wary of Tillis's tea party revolutionAs House speaker, Thom Tillis masterminded the conservative revolution in North Carolina. Will voters now decide the tea party agenda is steeped too strong? Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan hopes so.
Senate elections 101: Georgia might turn on David Perdue gaffeGOP nominee Perdue's comment, in a 2005 deposition, that 'I spent most of my career' outsourcing, riles rural, blue-collar former Democrats who are the most vulnerable part the GOP base. Georgia has the nation's highest unemployment rate.
Senate elections 101: Iowa split between two very different candidatesDemocratic Rep. Bruce Braley seemed a shoo-in for the open Senate seat in Iowa. Then along came Joni Ernst. Now Iowans have a tough choice.
Senate elections 101: Kentucky conflicted about Mitch McConnellKentuckians aren't overly pleased with incumbent Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell. But they like President Obama even less, which makes things hard for Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes.
How Election 2014 could create a Charlie Brown CongressRemember when Lucy takes the ball away from Charlie Brown? That could be Congress and President Obama next year. Or maybe they take a page from President Clinton's book and actually work together. Here are three reasons for hope and for caution.聽
US economy continues upward trend, contrary to many voters' perceptionsNew GDP numbers show the economy growing at 3.5 percent, which is better than consensus forecasts. It's the last portrait of the economy before Election Day.
Senate elections 101: Colorado could come down to women's issues.Democratic Sen. Mark Udall has dumped much of his campaign money into attacking Republican Rep. Cory Gardner on reproductive rights. But it might not have worked as well as he hoped.
