Archive: Republican Party
RNC Releases February $ Numbers
The Republican National Committee raised just over $5 million in February and cut spending by roughly 40 percent as compared to the first month of the year, according to figures released by the committee this afternoon. The RNC collected $5.1...
By Chris Cillizza | March 18, 2009; 05:46 PM ET | Comments (13)
The Protecters of the Palin Brand
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has put together a group of "brand managers" as she prepares for 2012. (AP Photo/Al Grillo) There is no brand in Republican politics as powerful -- or as tenuous -- as that of Alaska Gov....
By Chris Cillizza | March 17, 2009; 12:25 PM ET | Comments (144)
CT-Sen: Simmons Is In
Former Rep. Rob Simmons (R) is challenging Sen. Chris Dodd (D). AP Photo/Fred Beckham Former Rep. Rob Simmons will challenge embattled Sen. Chris Dodd next November, a recruiting success for national Republicans who believe that the Connecticut Democrat has...
By Chris Cillizza | March 16, 2009; 12:31 PM ET | Comments (11)
Steele Steps In It (Again)
Less than 24 hours after beating back rumors of a no-confidence vote in his leadership, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is on defense again over an interview he gave with GQ's Lisa DePaulo. The piece, which hit last night,...
By Chris Cillizza | March 12, 2009; 09:49 AM ET | Comments (229)
Steele's Rocky Road
Michael Steele has had a rocky start to his tenure as chairman of the RNC. By Chris Cillizza and Perry Bacon Jr. The honeymoon period for Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is officially over, with many in the...
By Chris Cillizza | March 11, 2009; 04:05 PM ET | Comments (74)
Plouffe on Rush: 'Fingernails on a Chalkboard'
David Plouffe, campaign manager for Barack Obama, speaks on day four of the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field in Denver Colorado. (Keith Bedford/Bloomberg News) The latest parry from national Democrats seeking to tie conservative talk radio host around...
By Chris Cillizza | March 4, 2009; 12:30 PM ET | Comments (54)
The Jindal Speech: Debacle or Decent?
Even in the sleep-deprived world in which the Fix currently resides, we've been hearing the critiques of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's (R) speech on Tuesday night loud and clear. In a nightmare headline for the aspiring GOP star, the...
By Chris Cillizza | February 26, 2009; 09:34 AM ET | Comments (108)
Mass Layoffs Hit RNC
Newly-elected RNC Chairman Michael Steele cleans house. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images) One week after Michael Steele won a hotly contested race to be the chairman of the Republican National Committee, he has cleaned house and laid off almost...
By Chris Cillizza | February 6, 2009; 11:22 AM ET | Comments (54)
NJ-Gov: Can Republicans (Finally) Win?
Is Gov. Jon Corzine vulnerable this fall? AP Photo/Mel Evans New Jersey has been fool's gold -- or, in the Fix's favorite metaphor, the equivalent of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown -- for Republicans for more than...
By Chris Cillizza | February 4, 2009; 03:27 PM ET | Comments (21)
Steele Elected RNC Chair
The Republican National Committee elected Michael Steele as its first African American chairman today in Washington, a decision that came after an excruciating series of ballots that displayed a level of drama rarely seen in national politics. Michael Steele speaks...
By Chris Cillizza | January 30, 2009; 04:04 PM ET | Comments (440)
RNC Chair Race: The Fix's Final Handicapping
The 168-member Republican National Committee will gather tomorrow morning to choose its next chairman and yet even those closest to this most insider of votes acknowledge they have little idea who will emerge victorious. The RNC race has been almost...
By Chris Cillizza | January 29, 2009; 03:34 PM ET | Comments (33)
Can Bloomberg Be Beaten?
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the annual winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors earlier this month in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Official Washington may be winding down from the 2008 campaign and subsequent transition,...
By Chris Cillizza | January 28, 2009; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (15)
NV-Sen: Hammering Harry
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is up with a television ad taking Nevada Sen. Harry Reid to task for his support of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus bill, the first of what promises to be a series of attacks against...
By Chris Cillizza | January 28, 2009; 11:55 AM ET | Comments (37)
Republicans' Navel Gazing and Why It Matters
Losing 54 House seats, 13 (or 14) Senate seats and the presidency over the past four years has effectively pushed Republicans into the political wilderness with no obvious guideposts to help find their way back. As expected, the collapse of...
By Chris Cillizza | January 14, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (54)
More Senate Republican Retirements?
Ohio Sen. George Voinovich (center) is contemplating joining fellow Republican Kit Bond of Missouri (left) in retirement. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) UPDATED, 6:45 p.m.: NBC political director and chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd (his Chuckness to us) writes in...
By Chris Cillizza | January 9, 2009; 04:55 PM ET | Comments (28)
Palin: Crazy or Crazy Like a Fox?
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's interview for a forthcoming documentary about the way in which she was covered during her bid for the vice presidency in 2008 has once again catapulted her into the middle of the national political conversation....
By Chris Cillizza | January 9, 2009; 01:25 PM ET | Comments (231)
Indecision Roils RNC Race
UPDATED, 12:22 p.m. ET: Florida Republican Party Chairman Frank Greer will endorse former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele's bid for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee this afternoon. Greer was mulling a candidacy of his own but has decided...
By Chris Cillizza | January 7, 2009; 06:15 AM ET | Comments (28)
Republicans Revolt on RNC's Obama-Blago Strategy
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is not happy with Republican tactics toward President-elect Barack Obama. Photo by Dayna Smith for The Washington Post As the Republican National Committee continues its attempt to tie disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich to President-elect...
By Chris Cillizza | December 17, 2008; 06:45 AM ET | Comments (121)
RNC Pushing Hard on Obama-Blago Connection
The video above -- released this morning by the Republican National Committee -- is the latest in a series of attempts by GOPers to keep tie scandal-tarred Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to President-elect Barack Obama. To be clear, nothing...
By Chris Cillizza | December 14, 2008; 10:53 AM ET | Comments (86)
Whither McCain?
Where has Sen. John McCain been in the auto bailout talks? Photo by Laura Segall/Getty Images During the presidential campaign, John McCain talked relentlessly about his involvement in efforts to pass major pieces of bipartisan legislation in the Senate...
By Chris Cillizza | December 12, 2008; 01:40 PM ET | Comments (27)
RNC Field Sorts Itself Out
Although Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest is blotting out the sun in the political world, there has been a series of developments worth noting in the race to become the next chairman of the Republican National Committee. Three new candidates joined...
By Chris Cillizza | December 11, 2008; 07:05 AM ET | Comments (19)
Are Republicans on the March?
In the wake of an election cycle dominated by bad news for Republicans, the last five days have been a welcome relief. Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss cruised to a runoff victory last Tuesday, and House Republicans held Louisiana's 4th district...
By Chris Cillizza | December 8, 2008; 12:16 PM ET | Comments (88)
FL-Senate: Jeb Considers
Will former Gov. Jeb Bush run for the open Florida Senate seat? PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images UPDATE, 5:30 pm: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's Senate candidacy received a vote of confidence this afternoon from Rep. Connie Mack IV who...
By Chris Cillizza | December 3, 2008; 02:22 PM ET | Comments (48)
Palin Does Georgia: What Does It Mean?
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin used some of her star power at campaign appearances for Sen. Saxby Chambliss (right) yesterday. The Ga. Senate runoff is today. (AP Photo/Jenni Girtman) PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- As the Fix prepared to head back...
By Chris Cillizza | December 2, 2008; 05:50 AM ET | Comments (84)
Fix Pick: Being Bobby Jindal
Is Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal the next Republican presidential nominee? Photo by Pat Semansky -- Getty Images INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- Regular Fix readers know that we believe any conversation about the future faces of the Republican Party has...
By Chris Cillizza | November 30, 2008; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (54)
RNC Chair Race: The Lay of the Land
The fight to be the next face of the Republican party -- or at least the next chairman of the Republican National Committee -- has been defined so far by a cavalcade of announced and potential candidates and a dearth...
By Chris Cillizza | November 25, 2008; 05:45 AM ET | Comments (34)
What's Next For McCain?
Once competitors, President-elect Barack Obama and Arizona Sen. John McCain met today in Chicago. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images The meeting today between President-elect Barack Obama and his vanquished Republican rival John McCain is more about symbolism than substance,...
By Chris Cillizza | November 17, 2008; 11:53 AM ET | Comments (69)
Michael Steele to Run For RNC Chair
Michael Steele, former Lt. Gov of Maryland, speaks to the delegates during the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday, September 3, 2008. Photo by Bonnie Jo Mount, Washington Post Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele...
By Chris Cillizza | November 13, 2008; 09:20 PM ET | Comments (53)
Palin-ology: The Image Reclamation Tour Begins
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin answers questions after returning to Anchorage, Alaska, Wednesday Nov. 5, 2008. Her brother Chuck Heath Jr. is in the back. (AP Photo/Al Grillo) Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is in the midst of a whirlwind media...
By Chris Cillizza | November 11, 2008; 11:16 AM ET | Comments (230)
Jindal: Never Vetted for VP
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Photo by Pat Semansky/Getty Images Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has emerged as one of the hottest names in national Republican circles since John McCain's defeat last week, was never vetted as a vice presidential...
By Chris Cillizza | November 10, 2008; 11:18 AM ET | Comments (48)
Friday Line: Republican Governors on the Rise
As the GOP charts its post-election course, some see leadership coming from the Republican governors, including Haley Barbour (Miss.), Mark Sanford (S.C.), Sarah Palin (Alaska), Tim Pawlenty (Minn.) and Bobby Jindal (La.). One of the few bright spots for...
By Chris Cillizza | November 7, 2008; 11:09 AM ET | Comments (59)
Should Republicans Cut Bait?
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., greets supporters as he enters a campaign rally at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. AP Photo/Stephan Savoia With each passing day the political outlook...
By Chris Cillizza | October 28, 2008; 11:30 AM ET | Comments (417)
Corruption Conviction of Sen. Stevens Enhances Democrats' Prospects
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) UPDATE, 10/28 10:15 am: John McCain released a statement this morning in which he called for Stevens to step aside from the Senate. Calling the verdict "a sign of the corruption and...
By Chris Cillizza | October 27, 2008; 04:45 PM ET | Comments (143)
Jindal Makes a Political Power Play
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is putting his political brand to the test, a gamble that could influence his long-term prospects for national office. (Photo by Bill Haber -- AP) On its face, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's decision to appear...
By Chris Cillizza | October 22, 2008; 04:00 PM ET | Comments (35)
The McClellan Mess: Assessing the Fallout
It's easy amid the maelstrom of coverage surrounding former Bush White House press secretary Scott McClellan's tell-all (or at least tell-most) memoir to assume that this could be a heavy blow to the Republican brand and the party's hopes of...
By Chris Cillizza | May 29, 2008; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (234)
GOP Weighs Calendar Changes for 2012
UPDATE, 5:00 pm : The Iowa Republican Party is declaring the passage of the "Ohio" plan as a strong first step in keeping the Hawkeye State caucuses first in 2012. "This is a great day for the state of...
By Chris Cillizza | April 2, 2008; 02:28 PM ET | Comments (51)
The Race Within the Republican Race
With Michigan's Republican primary set for tomorrow and South Carolina and Florida ready to choose their candidate by the end of the month, it's no secret that what happens in these three states could very well determine the GOP nominee....
By Chris Cillizza | January 14, 2008; 04:00 PM ET | Comments (53)
Indiana: An Emerging Purple State?
It's easy to forget amid the granular coverage of the primary horserace that once the nominees are chosen -- some time in late January or early February-- we will be faced with the longest general election in modern political history....
By Chris Cillizza | November 27, 2007; 03:03 PM ET | Comments (84)
Doolittle Says He Will Run, "Period."
California Rep. John Doolittle's defiant pronouncement that he will seek re-election to the House in 2008 has to send shivers down the spines of savvy Republican strategists. For months, political operatives have been acting as though Doolittle's retirement is a...
By washingtonpost.com Editors | September 7, 2007; 05:21 PM ET | Comments (51)
Video: Who Won the GOP Debate?
The Fix's Chris Cillizza and The Washington Post's Dan Balz and Michael Shear recap the Republican presidential debate from Manchester, N.H. Watch below: Play Video VIDEO | (washingtonpost.com's Ed O'Keefe & Chet Rhodes, CNN; Editor: Jacqueline Refo)...
By washingtonpost.com Editors | June 6, 2007; 07:17 AM ET | Comments (16)
GOP Debate Wrap Up
Comity reigned, for the most part, in tonight's Republican presidential debate as the candidates largely agreed on the way forward in Iraq, while disagreeing about their differences on illegal immigration. Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and Mike Huckabee The third debate...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 09:29 PM ET | Comments (0)
Sen. Kennedy & The Socialists
Just when you thought we would make it through the debate without any serious internecine attacks, Rep. Duncan Hunter brought out the Howitzer -- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.). Rep. Duncan Hunter at Tuesday night's GOP debate. (AP) Referring to Giuliani,...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 09:03 PM ET | Comments (22)
Dubya's Biggest Mistake?
CNN's Wolf Blizter just asked each candidate to name President George W. Bush's "biggest mistake." None of the candidates gave a direct answer, but here's a sampling of their answers in a word (or three): * McCain: Spending * Giuliani:...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 08:55 PM ET | Comments (8)
Brownback: Pro-Choice Giuliani Won't Win
Sam Brownback isn't pulling any punches tonight. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas at tonight's GOP debate (AP) After knocking around former President Bill Clinton, Brownback has now moved on to Rudy Giuliani. Asked what the key moral issue of the...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 08:45 PM ET | Comments (20)
Giuliani, Romney and Thompson on Health Care
Giuliani continues to use the questions directed at him to attack Democrats while avoiding any attacks on his Republican allies. Tommy Thompson, former Wisconsin governor and secretary of Health and Human Services for President Bush, answers a question at the...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 08:41 PM ET | Comments (5)
Iraq, Personalized
The second hour starts as the first did -- with the war in Iraq. Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mike Huckabee participate in the GOP presidential debate. (Getty Images) The sister of a soldier killed in Iraq got the first...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 08:30 PM ET | Comments (0)
Stickin' Up for Scooter
Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Tom Tancredo would pardon former vice presidential chief of staff Scooter Libby. Giuliani seemed to be leaning that way, calling the 30-month sentence handed down today "excessive punishment." Romney mentioned that he had not pardoned...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 08:16 PM ET | Comments (8)
What to Do With Dubya?
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) used a question about what role President George W. Bush would play in his administration to take a pot shot at former President Bill Clinton. "President Clinton has not assumed the right role of a former...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 08:11 PM ET | Comments (11)
First Hour Over; Evolution v. Creationism
What a great first hour! The Fix fashions himself as a fast typer, but even I wasn't able to cover everything of interest in the first 60 minutes of the GOP debate. One highlight we didn't mention previously -- Mike...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 08:01 PM ET | Comments (13)
Surprise, Romney Gets a Mormon Question
Mitt Romney continues to perform well, this time deftly handling a question about voters' doubts about his Mormonism. Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney answers a question Tuesday night during the Republican presidential primary debate hosted by Saint Anselm College in...
By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2007; 07:55 PM ET | Comments (21)
