WASHINGTON, D.C. - Voters have given Republicans control of both houses of Congress for the next two years, the last two years of the administration of Democratic President Barack Obama. The GOP won back the Senate by taking at least seven seats now held by Democrats. Three races are undecided. The Republicans will have at least 52 seats in the new senate. The Democrats, at least 45. Mitch McConnell is expected to be the new majority leader. Today, both he and the president said they'll try to work together to get things done. Try. After another midterm election drubbing, President Obama pledged no fundamental changes in his White House team or its tactics. "It's my job to figure this out as best I can," Mr. Obama said at a Wednesday news conference. "And if the way we are talking about issues isn't working, then I'm going to try some different things. There are times when you're a politician and you're disappointed with election results, but maybe I'm just getting older. It doesn't … [Read more...] about Obama, GOP size up midterm elections
Midterm elections
CBS News Logo Report: Mike Pence to stump for Republicans ahead of midterm elections
Vice President Mike Pence is planning to stump for Republican candidates in the coming months ahead of the midterm elections, according to Politico. Pence is set to travel across the country through several Midwestern states and to Georgia, the site of a surprisingly close upcoming special runoff election, where he will stump for Republican Karen Handel. Nick Ayers, Pence's chief strategist, told Politico that Pence "has an appetite to fight, so he's going to get out there and fight on the president's behalf." The push for Republicans comes as many in the party are fearful of the Democrats making big gains in 2018, combined with a lack of direction from the White House on any midterm party plans. Most recently, Pence stepped in to lend a hand to Montana Republican Greg Gianforte's campaign ahead of the state's special House election by recording a robocall, urging voters not to let Democrats "take this seat out of Republican hands." Gianforte went on to win the seat left … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Report: Mike Pence to stump for Republicans ahead of midterm elections
CBS News Logo Will Hillary Clinton get involved in the 2018 midterm elections?
Hillary Clinton is hoping to get involved in the 2018 midterm election cycle, but the exact scope of her participation has not yet been nailed down, according to The Hill newspaper. The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee is studying House districts she won in last year's election, for example, two sources told The Hill. And she could appear on the campaign trail. "She's very well aware of how she performed in those districts," said one longtime Clinton confidant said, who pointed out she won Republican Rep. Darrell Issa's district in California by 8 percentage points. "She knows she came close in about a handful of others. She has studied this stuff thoroughly." After some time laying low after her loss in November, Clinton has been much more active, returning to the public spotlight. In May, she launched a political action committee, Onward Together, which will work with and help fundraise for political groups that support the Democratic Party. According to the announcement in … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Will Hillary Clinton get involved in the 2018 midterm elections?
CBS News Logo Dems aim for, and GOP worries about, midterm election wave
Buoyed by a string of Republican retirements and President Donald Trump's persistently low approval rating, Democrats are increasingly hopeful about their chances for a midterm election wave that would give them control of the House and deliver a blow to the president. The number of Republicans bowing out rather than bearing down for tough races is the latest worrisome sign for the GOP. Combine that with Trump's ability to unite Democrats in opposition and historical headwinds, and some Democrats are optimistic. "We don't have an Obama figure energizing us; we have Trump energizing us," said Democratic Rep. Gerald Connolly of Virginia, as he described standing-room-only gatherings at local Democratic events. "Who is the D? Show me who the D is, so I can vote for them," he said of voter sentiments. "I think it's shaping up into that kind of election." Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, who is leading Democrats' House campaign effort, said there is a "clear path to a majority," something … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Dems aim for, and GOP worries about, midterm election wave
2010 Midterm Election: Enough Already
Even though I’m a bit of a political junkie, I’m nearly ready to scream “uncle!” This political season is going on too long. Don’t get me wrong. Until recently, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. After all, what’s not to love about a campaign where the Republican-endorsed candidate for a U.S. Senate seat has to deny that she is a witch? Or another Republican candidate, in a neck-and-neck race against the Senate Majority Leader, who has more gaffes than George W. Bush and has been endorsed by the likes of Joe the Plumber. It just might turn out that the biggest winner of the midterm election is someone who isn’t even on the ballot this year. Compared to kooks and extremists like Christine O’Donnell and Sharron Angle, Sarah Palin is beginning to look rationale and moderate. Well, not quite. If the characters (and I do mean characters) aren’t enough, we have an avalanche of campaign funding to hold our interest. Thanks to a Supreme … [Read more...] about 2010 Midterm Election: Enough Already