Ken Rudin

Why Don't We Pay (More/Any) Attention To Los Angeles Mayoral Elections?

Ken Rudin — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:36:00 +0000

Horace Greeley may have suggested at one point that going west might be a good idea, but he probably wouldn't be happy to see what's going on with Los Angeles as of late. The Dodgers are in last place in the National League West, the Angels are hovering near the bottom of the American League West, and the Lakers' appearance in the playoffs was brutally short.

Monday Was All About Obama. Now All He Needs Is A Cabinet.

Ken Rudin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:25:45 +0000

The day had history and symbolism written all over it: the inauguration of President Barack Obama, coming on the very day the nation was honoring the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The pomp, the ceremony, the speech, the festivities, the parade, the emotions, the hugs, the tears. It's all part of America's finest moment, and yesterday was no exception.

But that was yesterday. That "era of good feelings," all one day of it, is about to be replaced by the need to get things done. Improving a stuttering economy.

John Boehner Has Been Up And Down And Up Again. Where Is He Now?

Ken Rudin — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:18:00 +0000

As John Boehner finally got the votes to put him over the top, and his re-election as Speaker of the House became official, one had to wonder what was going on in his mind.

If Boehner has had a rough two years in trying to keep his fellow Republicans on the same page in their battles with President Obama, he endured a miserable couple of weeks in the lead up to the fiscal cliff agreement. His dealings with Obama went nowhere.

Remembering Those Who Left Us In 2012

Ken Rudin — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:08:00 +0000

In political terms, 2012 was not the greatest of years. We witnessed an ugly, personal, petty, and often childish presidential election. Living in a "battleground" or "swing" state often meant being bombarded 24/7 by an incessant barrage of negative campaign commercials. And just as we were finally emerging from the campaign, we ended the year with an unfathomable tragedy, the gunning down of 20 children at an elementary school in Connecticut.

But before we enter the new year with new dread, it's time to stop and remember those voices in the world of politics we lost.

Both Sides Itching For A Confirmation Fight Over Susan Rice

Ken Rudin — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:33:00 +0000

The election was over. As President Obama faced the press in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, the anger and bitterness of his long battle with Mitt Romney seemed to have faded. Unlike President George W.

Who Gets The Blame For The Romney Loss? The Tea Party Has A Theory.

Ken Rudin — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:33:00 +0000
It was an election that, once upon a time, many thought was stacked in Mitt Romney's favor.
Unemployment was hovering around eight percent, a number that was much higher in black and Latino households. Many had simply given up and stopped looking for work, pessimistic about the future. Voters were still skeptical or fearful about President Obama's health care plan, and small business owners were bracing for what they thought would be higher costs.

What To Look For On Election Day: The Battle For The White House & Congress

Ken Rudin — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:08:00 +0000
Tuesday, as those who follow politics probably know, is Election Day. The battle between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney has been contentious, expensive, personal, illuminating, ugly, frustrating, petty, enlightening and, above all, long.

Will The Debates Decide The Winner? It's Debatable

Ken Rudin — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:23:35 +0000
The candidates have gone through the primaries and caucuses, the delegate counts and the conventions. At this point, they're traveling the country, trying to make their case. Now comes the most widely anticipated event in the race for the White House: the presidential debates.
Perhaps 60 million people are expected to tune in to the first one Wednesday at the University of Denver.

Running Mate Scorecard: Ups And Downs Since 1964

Ken Rudin — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 12:37:00 +0000
It will be a while before we know if presidential candidate Mitt Romney's pick of Rep. Paul Ryan to join the Republican ticket will be a plus or minus for his campaign.
In my view, not since Jack Kennedy picked Lyndon Johnson has the choice of a running mate truly affected the outcome in November. LBJ did, after all, help bring Texas to the Democratic fold in 1960. But the record for subsequent No. 2s is a bit mixed. Here's my scorecard:
1964
Democrat: President Lyndon Johnson, without a vice president since he succeeded the assassinated John F.

5 Vice Presidential Picks Who Were Key To Victory

Ken Rudin — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 12:29:00 +0000
There have been a number of instances in recent history where the choice of a vice presidential running mate was an important stepping stone toward winning in the fall.
Of course, it's much too early to know how much of a difference GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's choice of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan will make. In the meantime, here is my subjective list of the top five instances in the past half-century or so where a selection of a running mate was crucial to victory:
1. 1960: John Kennedy-Lyndon Johnson (D)
Without a doubt, No. 1.