The Fix - Chris Cillizza&#8217s politics blog on washingtonpost.com - February 13, 2011

Afternoon Fix: Bingaman retiring, Napolitano not running

Bingaman isn't running next year and neither is Napolitano, Pawlenty is on the cover of the National Review, a Palin aide's "tell-all" has been leaked, and Bernie Sanders could have a challenger soon.

By Chris Cillizza | February 18, 2011; 4:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Afternoon Fix
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Why Tim Kaine matters

A look at the ten most competitive Senate races in the country.

By Chris Cillizza | February 18, 2011; 3:19 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: The Line
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Why the birther issue won't die

Sarah Palin and other Republicans this week have issued some of the most significant denunciations of the birther movement to date, telling their party that it needs to move past the issue. But they aren't likely to get their wish.

By Aaron Blake | February 18, 2011; 2:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Republican Party
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Jeff Bingaman to retire

New Mexico Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman is expected to announce his retirement today, according to a source close to the decision, a move that further complicates his party's efforts to hold their Senate majority in 2012.

By Chris Cillizza | February 18, 2011; 12:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Senate
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Fast Fix: Where are the 2012 candidates? (VIDEO)

Who will be the first 2012 Republican presidential candidate to announce his (or her) intentions?

By Chris Cillizza | February 18, 2011; 10:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Fast Fix
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The Jeb Bush primary

Jeb Bush isn't running for president in 2012. But he's likely to have considerable influence over the identity of the nominee.

By Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake | February 18, 2011; 7:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Morning Fix
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Afternoon Fix: Sarah Palin takes on Michelle Obama

Sarah Palin gave a rare q-and-a today, tea party groups are discussing what to do about Orrin Hatch, Tarryl Clark might run again, and Jeb Bush seems to be backing Mitch Daniels.

By Chris Cillizza | February 17, 2011; 6:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Afternoon Fix
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Democrats uncertain on race for Chris Lee's seat

Coming off of a 63-seat loss in the 2010 election, conventional wisdom would suggest that national Democrats would leap at the chance to score a quick, momentum-building victory in the Upstate New York 26th district held until recently by Rep. Chris Lee (R), now (in)famous for his shirtless Craigslist photos.

By Rachel Weiner | February 17, 2011; 5:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: House
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Are the Wisconsin protests good for Republicans or Democrats?

For the past four days, thousands of public employees and their supporters have gathered in and around the Wisconsin state capitol to protest Republican Gov. Scott Walker's budget cuts.

By Rachel Weiner | February 17, 2011; 1:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Governors
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The top six free-agent 2012 GOP operatives

A look at the top six top unsigned political operatives in the Republican presidential race.

By Chris Cillizza | February 17, 2011; 12:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Eye on 2012
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'Fairness' in Florida and how it could help Democrats

House Democrats have been talking since Nov. 3 about playing offense in 2012, and if they do, Florida could be leading the way. All they need is a little help from some judges.

By Aaron Blake | February 17, 2011; 12:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Mapping the Future, Redistricting
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The best state-based political Tweeters

In search of the best political Tweeters in each state.

By Chris Cillizza | February 17, 2011; 9:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Fix Notes
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Is Scott Brown beatable?

With Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) riding high in his home state and nary a Democrat yet running against him in 2012, it begs the question: is Brown an odds-on favorite for reelection?

By Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza | February 17, 2011; 7:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Morning Fix
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Afternoon Fix: Obama talks to Tim Kaine, Lara Logan

Chris Christie is still not running for president, President Obama called CBS reporter Lara Logan, Boehner says Obama's budget is dead, and Bill Burton is leaving the White House.

By Chris Cillizza | February 16, 2011; 5:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Afternoon Fix
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Chris Christie lays out a national vision

Gov. Chris Christie today delivered a broadside against the broken politics of Washington and the need for straight talk to solve the country's problem in a speech that will almost certainly stoke talk that of a 2012 presidential bid by the New Jersey Republican.

By Chris Cillizza | February 16, 2011; 2:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Governors
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Does Haley Barbour need to give a 'race speech'?

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has found himself in the middle of two race-related controversies in the early stages of his presidential bid. Should he give a broad address on race to clear the air?

By Rachel Weiner | February 16, 2011; 2:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Eye on 2012
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DCCC raised $4.4M in January

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (N.Y.) said Wednesday that his organization raised $4.4 million in January

By Aaron Blake | February 16, 2011; 1:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: House
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Fast Fix: Another Government Shutdown? (VIDEO)

Could we be headed to another shutdown of the federal government if Republicans and Democrats can't agree on a budget?

By Chris Cillizza | February 16, 2011; 12:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Fast Fix
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House Democrats to hold Giffords fundraiser

A group of House Democrats are planning a D.C. fundraiser for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) on March 15 as she continues to recuperate from an assassination attempt last month.

By Chris Cillizza | February 16, 2011; 10:42 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: House
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Steve Israel's alumni association

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (N.Y.) has formed an alumni association of members defeated in the landslide 2010 election in an effort to capitalize on their political knowledge and connections to help the party regain the House majority next November.

By Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake | February 16, 2011; 7:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: House
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Afternoon Fix: Kaine wants to talk to Obama about Senate seat

im Kaine wants to talk to Obama, Chris Christie is headed to Washington, Patrick Gaspard is leaving the White House, and there's some bipartisan movement -- against the president's budget.

By Chris Cillizza | February 15, 2011; 5:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Afternoon Fix
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Florida is first battleground for 2012 presidential primary jockeying

A fight is brewing in Florida that could shed light on the presidential primary calendar.

By Rachel Weiner | February 15, 2011; 5:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Eye on 2012
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Attacking Palin: Who's doing it and why

After months of radio silence about the prospect of Sarah Palin running for president in 2012, a few of her potential rivals have begun to delicately jab at her, previewing what would almost certainly be a far more aggressive attack if she did decide to enter the race.

By Chris Cillizza | February 15, 2011; 2:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Eye on 2012
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Network News

The Fix: February 13, 2011 - February 19, 2011

Afternoon Fix: Bingaman retiring, Napolitano not running

Why Tim Kaine matters

Why the birther issue won't die

Jeff Bingaman to retire

Fast Fix: Where are the 2012 candidates? (VIDEO)

The Jeb Bush primary

Afternoon Fix: Sarah Palin takes on Michelle Obama

Democrats uncertain on race for Chris Lee's seat

Are the Wisconsin protests good for Republicans or Democrats?

The top six free-agent 2012 GOP operatives

'Fairness' in Florida and how it could help Democrats

The best state-based political Tweeters

Is Scott Brown beatable?

Afternoon Fix: Obama talks to Tim Kaine, Lara Logan

Chris Christie lays out a national vision

Does Haley Barbour need to give a 'race speech'?

DCCC raised $4.4M in January

Fast Fix: Another Government Shutdown? (VIDEO)

House Democrats to hold Giffords fundraiser

Steve Israel's alumni association

Afternoon Fix: Kaine wants to talk to Obama about Senate seat

Florida is first battleground for 2012 presidential primary jockeying

Attacking Palin: Who's doing it and why

Live-blogging President Obama's press conference

Dean Heller poll shows 15 point lead over John Ensign in Nevada

Afternoon Fix: Romney dominates in N.H., Dianne Feinstein endorses for Harman seat

Democratic senators slow to embrace Obama's budget

Can Gabrielle Giffords win a Senate race?

The political wisdom of early Senate retirements

Fast Fix: President Trump? (VIDEO)

CPAC Winners and Losers

The spending battle begins

The Fix Weekly Face-Offs!

Chris Lee wins "Worst Week in Washington"