The Club for Growth

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New and improved Romney

He's more fiscal, less social. And he's got millions. But will GOP voters give a Mitt?
Scott Brown's unexpected victory in last month's special US Senate election captured the attention of the country — and particularly of core Republican voters, who huddled eagerly before their TV screens to watch their hero du jour give his acceptance speech. But even in the midst of his moment in the sun, Brown made sure to thank the other handsome, well-coifed man on the stage, Mitt Romney.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | February 12, 2010

Man bites newspaper

The genesis of the newspaper problems can be traced to Richard Nixon.
It's not news that newspapers are in huge trouble — victims of technological change and a mini-depression. What is news is the unadorned glee that is greeting the demise of newsprint.
By STEVEN STARK | April 19, 2009

Mod on the move

Obama supporter Lincoln Chafee talks about the post-election landscape
The Brown University class being taught this semester by Lincoln Chafee, the Republican US senator-turned-independent supporter of Barack Obama, has an up-to-the-moment title: “Whither America.”
By IAN DONNIS | November 05, 2008

Rise of the political bogeyman

Impotent on the issues, the GOP turns to scare tactics. Be afraid!
The Republicans appear headed to a second straight national pummeling, which will leave it marginalized in the federal government and an increasing number of state houses. Many party faithful are already noting the need for the GOP to move back toward the moderate center to survive. But the conservatives with microphones are heading down a very different path — and their followers, who now dominate the Republican Party, are going right with them.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 03, 2008

What’s next for Steve Laffey?

With a forthcoming book about his senatorial campaign, he looms as a prospective gubernatorial candidate in 2010
Can you imagine Steve Laffey — a tireless self-promoter and all-around media hog — not returning a phone call from a reporter?
By IAN DONNIS | May 31, 2007

Feeding the rabid right

If Mitt Romney can’t persuade conservatives that he’s one of them, his hopes are dead. But convincing them could be fatal too.
Mitt Romney’s attempt to follow George W. Bush’s formula to the Republican presidential nomination has hit a snag.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | February 28, 2007

It wasn’t a dream

Four signs that the Democratic gains in 2006 could mark the start of a new, blue era in American politics
Many observers believe the Democrats’ gains were mostly a one-time rejection of all things Republican. But is this just the beginning of a period of political ascendancy for the Democratic Party? Ten to beat: Republicans who are ripe for the picking. By David S. Bernstein
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 28, 2006

Can Mitt win?

Romney’s chances of winning the GOP presidential nod hinge on conservatives’ hatred of John McCain
To understand why Mitt Romney’s dream of capturing the Republican presidential nomination is not far-fetched, you first have to understand what Rudy Giuliani is doing — or rather, not doing.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 21, 2006

The national GOP could take some tips from Chafee

Last of the moderates
Given Washington’s prevailing partisan gridlock in the late ’90s, George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign pledges — to be a uniter, not a divider, and to pursue a humble foreign policy — struck Lincoln Chafee as harbingers of something better.
By IAN DONNIS | November 15, 2006

Aided by his name and the national GOP, Chafee beats back Laffey

Talking politics
Chafee attributed his 54-46 percent victory over Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey to “a grassroots effort like Rhode Island has never seen.”
By IAN DONNIS | September 13, 2006

Laffey attacks from the center

The Cranston conservative needs to broaden his support if he’s going to oust Chafee
When Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey announced last week that he didn’t even want the state Republican Party’s endorsement it marked a textbook move in the upstart’s stiff Republican primary challenge to US Senator Lincoln Chafee.
By IAN DONNIS | July 11, 2006

Advantage: Whitehouse

The Democrat has the best shot in years to claim ‘the Chafee seat’ from the GOP
It was just one more in a steady stream of campaign stops, efforts that might land Sheldon Whitehouse six months from now in the most exclusive club in the nation.
By IAN DONNIS | May 03, 2006