While the buzz is still only a whisper, the idea that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) might be well enough to run for Arizona’s open Senate seat next year is suddenly a hot topic. Giffords’ “rapid recovery from the shooting creates at least the possibility that she could make the race, according to her allies,” Chris […]
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will celebrate her 71st birthday next month. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will be 72 in June. And Assistant Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) turns 71 in July. The young buck of the Democratic Party’s House leadership is Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (Conn.), who will turn 63 in […]
Colm O’Comartun grew up on another continent, but he’s stepping into one of Washington’s most important campaign positions. The Irish-born O’Comartun couldn’t have known that one day he would be executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, but his love for policy and record of loyal service to Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) has him […]
Phil Cox is the only left-winger in the country trying to get Republicans elected governor. From the hockey rink to the campaign trail, Cox has never been the attention-getter. But after managing Republican Bob McDonnell’s gubernatorial victory in Virginia and now as the new executive director of the Republican Governors Association, Cox’s public profile is […]
Note: This column appeared in Roll Call before Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl announced his retirement. Spring training hasn’t even started for the 2011 baseball season, but it’s already clear that control of the Senate is up for grabs this election cycle. Almost before the cycle even began, Democratic strategists were being forced on the defensive […]
Two Senate retirements this week pull two seats into more competitive categories. In Virginia, Sen. Jim Webb’s retirement is a significant problem for Democrats. Webb would have been difficult to paint as a Washington insider, but now that he’s not seeking a second term, his open seat becomes more difficult to hold. Former governor/current Democratic […]
GOP Cong. Chris Lee’s resignation from Congress sets up yet another House special election in New York. The married congressman left office soon after the story broke that he was pursuing a date with a woman on Craig’s List, including sending a shirtless photo of himself to her. The 26th Congressional District near Buffalo has […]
John H.F. Hoving was buried last week with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. He was 87 years old. I met John some 25 years ago, a few years after I moved to Washington, D.C., and after he dropped me a kind note out of the blue about my newsletter. A few times each year, […]