New Print Edition: New Hampshire Senate & New York 19

The October 22, 2007 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers. The print edition comes out every two weeks and the content is not available online. Subscribers get in-depth analysis of the most competitive races in the country, as well as quarterly House and Senate ratings, and coverage of the gubernatorial races nationwide. To subscribe, simply click on the Google checkout button on the website or send a check. Here is a brief sample of what's in this edition...

New Hampshire Senate: ’02 Part Deux
By Nathan L. Gonzales

The match-up in New Hampshire’s Senate race is nothing new, but the environment couldn’t be any more different.

In 2002, President George W. Bush was popular in the wake of the September 11 tragedy, and Cong. John Sununu (R) defeated Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) in a hard fought Senate contest. Thinking her political career was over, Shaheen moved to academia, while Sununu went to work in the Senate.

Five years later, President Bush and the Republican Party are incredibly unpopular and public is growing more and more dissatisfied with the war in Iraq. Democrats took over the Senate in 2006, but now have their sights set on getting to 60 seats, and New Hampshire is near the top of the takeover list.

Sununu already faced long odds for reelection in a region where Republicans are becoming an endangered species. But now, with former Gov. Shaheen finally in the race after initially refusing Democratic entreaties, Sununu starts the race as the underdog. For the rest of the story, you must subscribe.

New York 19: [Insert Music Pun Here]

It’s easy for Republicans to look at New York’s 19th District as a pick-up opportunity. President Bush won the district by seven points in 2004 and freshman Cong. John Hall (D) is often described for his musical talents before his political acumen.

But Hall is not a political novice, and he’ll be running for reelection as an incumbent – with all of the advantages of incumbency – in a national environment that, so far, continues to favor the Democratic Party. Last year, he defeated incumbent Cong. Sue Kelly (R) who, unlike some of her GOP colleagues, was not tainted by scandal.

This cycle, Republicans who spend every waking moment strategizing about how to win back the House are dreaming about the prospects of wealthy businessman Andrew Saul (R), with his considerable personal resources. Subscribe now to the newsletter to get the whole story.