His first priority is to get the base behind him, even if that produces a nominee that is really fought over in the Senate and possibly defeated.

A lot of money was spent in 2004 to produce the results that gave the Republicans their big majority in the Texas delegation. These districts have been drawn to elect either Democrats or Republicans.

He was one of the white Democrats who started out as one of the conventional segregationists and then made the transition to biracial politics.

It’s going to be an ongoing up-and-down situation for as far ahead as the eye can see. None of it is good for DeLay.

It’s a huge embarrassment for the Republicans in every jurisdiction, from Washington to his district.

We’ve got obviously mixed results. No party goes into 2000 with a clear, comprehensive national victory from these off-year elections.

He did not accept permanent minority status for House Republicans, and that was a very different way of thinking. He helped get them there and keep them there.

very, very long term.

New Orleans did not have a robust economy to begin with. I think it’s going to be very difficult for New Orleans to truly come back. It will take years,

Within both parties, there are a lot of people who are looking for cues as to people who are viewed as on the rise in one capacity or another. It’s unlikely that many of these...

For those contemplating a presidential effort, this helps to get out in front of that issue three years before the first primaries, so they are on record and not waiting until the primaries to change....

It deprives the Republicans of a very experienced vote-counter, someone who’s been very successful securing victories with a very thin majority.