The Fix: February 27, 2011 - March 5, 2011

"Worst Week in Washington" winner: Darrell Issa

California Rep. Darrell Issa won the Fix's "Worst Week in Washington" award this week.

By Chris Cillizza  | March 5, 2011; 8:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Worst Week in Washington  
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Afternoon Fix: Reid's son set up shell PACs to get around election law

Rory Reid set up shell PACs to funnel money to his campaign, three top Republican presidential contenders are talking to the Club for Growth, and Newt Gingrich is reaching out to a controversial pastor.

By Chris Cillizza  | March 4, 2011; 4:56 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Afternoon Fix  
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The Rising: Josh Mandel, young powerhouse

Ohio's newest state treasurer is only 33. He's also a Marine who served two touts in Iraq, a lawyer, a two-term state legislator, a former city councilman and a prolific fundraiser. That's why even at his young age, Josh Mandel is being talked about as a potential challenger to Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) next year.

By Rachel Weiner  | March 4, 2011; 2:18 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  The Rising  
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Why is Mike Huckabee criticizing Natalie Portman? (Poll)

In an interview on Monday with conservative talk show host Michael Medved, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee took aim at a strange target -- Academy Award winner Natalie Portman.

By Rachel Weiner  | March 4, 2011; 12:41 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Daily Fix Poll, Eye on 2012  | Tags:  Mike Huckabee  
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Fast Fix: Early voting rush?

The Fast Fix video breaks down the state of the 2012 Republican presidential nominating calendar.

By Chris Cillizza  | March 4, 2011; 12:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Fast Fix  
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Why May 5 matters in the 2012 presidential race

A look at the 10 candidates most likely to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.

By Chris Cillizza  | March 4, 2011; 10:30 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  The Line  
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The GOP's entitlements problem

Republicans want Democrats to go first when it comes to entitlement reform, but Democrats have the upper hand. And it could pay dividends in 2012.

By Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza  | March 4, 2011; 6:23 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Morning Fix  
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Afternoon Fix: Issa hires new spokesperson, Giffords listed as vulnerable

Darrell Issa has a new spokesperson, Raul Grijalva has a challenger, Gabrielle Giffords is considered vulnerable, and David Wu is getting "heartwarming" support from his colleagues.

By Chris Cillizza  | March 3, 2011; 5:18 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Afternoon Fix  
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Sarah Palin's Iowa problem

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin speaks during the Republican Party of Iowa's Ronald Reagan Dinner, Sept. 17, 2010, in Des Moines, Iowa. AP Photo by Charlie Neibergall Updated at 4:05 p.m. Sarah Palin's lack of presence in Iowa is...

By Rachel Weiner  | March 3, 2011; 4:05 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Eye on 2012  
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Gingrich to start 'exploring' presidential bid

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R) is not yet opening an exploratory committee, but he is launching a new website as he weighs his 2012 options.

By Aaron Blake  | March 3, 2011; 1:44 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
 
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The GOP's tough path in Hawaii

Despite the optimism about former governor Linda Lingle (R) running for retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka's (D-Hawaii) seat, the Aloha State remains a tough nut to crack for the GOP -- especially in a presidential year like 2012.

By Aaron Blake  | March 3, 2011; 1:20 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
 
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North Carolina: The GOP's Golden Goose of redistricting

North Carolina was one of relatively few states where Republicans missed their chance at big gains in 2010. Which makes it one of relatively few states where the GOP can make big gains in redistricting.

By Aaron Blake  | March 3, 2011; 9:50 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Mapping the Future, Redistricting  
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2012 and the fight for second

Why the second place vote matters in the 2012 presidential race.

By Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake  | March 3, 2011; 7:14 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Morning Fix  
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Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka won't seek re-election

Hawaii Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka will not seek re-election in 2012, the fifth Democratic or Democratic aligned incumbent to bow out already this election cycle

By Chris Cillizza  | March 2, 2011; 7:06 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Senate  
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Afternoon Fix: Buddy Roemer exploring presidential bid

There's another presidential candidate in the field, Tim Kaine is likely making his Senate decision next week, yet another Republican is taking shots at 'Romneycare' and some Wisconsin legislators want to ban prank phone calls.

By Chris Cillizza  | March 2, 2011; 5:28 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Afternoon Fix  
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Poll shows Huckabee with huge lead in southern states

He's still not sure he wants to run for president, but a new poll in eleven southern states shows Mike Huckabee leading any other candidate by a huge margin.

By Rachel Weiner  | March 2, 2011; 4:01 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Eye on 2012  
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Tom Coburn: Not a Newt Fan

In an interview with CSPAN's Washington Journal on Wednesday, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) questioned whether former House Speaker Newt Gingrich would be a good presidential candidate.

By Rachel Weiner  | March 2, 2011; 1:31 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Eye on 2012  
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Fast Fix: Good Newt, Bad Newt (VIDEO)

There are two sides to Newt Gingrich: Good Newt and Bad Newt. Which one will be running for president in 2012?

By Chris Cillizza  | March 2, 2011; 12:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Fast Fix  
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The case against Herman Cain

After looking at why Herman Cain could be a force in the GOP presidential primary on Tuesday, today we look at why he won't be.

By Aaron Blake  | March 2, 2011; 10:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Case For/Case Against  
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Delaying the real budget fight

The House took the first step Tuesday toward averting a government shutdown, passing a two-week bill to fund the government past Friday. But even with the Senate expected to follow suit this week, Congress is merely kicking the can down the road, and the real budget fight still looms in the immediate future.

By Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza  | March 2, 2011; 6:30 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Morning Fix  
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Afternoon Fix: Chris Dodd going to MPAA, Mike Huckabee says Obama grew up in Kenya

Haley Barbour took a shot at Mitt Romney's health-care plan, Mike Huckabee seems to think President Obama grew up in Kenya, and Chris Dodd is headed to the MPAA.

By Chris Cillizza  | March 1, 2011; 4:12 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Afternoon Fix  
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Bobby Jindal offers GOP candidates advice on 2012

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Republicans have to lay out their vision for the country not just make the case against President Obama to win in 2012.

By Chris Cillizza  | March 1, 2011; 1:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Eye on 2012, Republican Party  
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The case for Herman Cain

Conservative talk radio host and former Godfather's Pizza executive Herman Cain won the straw poll at the first-ever Tea Party Patriots gathering in Phoenix this weekend -- a sign that his fledgling campaign may actually pack some punch. Cain has also been getting rave reviews from activists for his powerful and impassioned speeches at events like the Conservative Political Action Conference this month and, last year, at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference. Now that the buzz is starting to percolate -- and with no major presidential candidates yet in the field -- we here at The Fix thought it timely to take a look at the top "mid-major" candidate in the field.

By Aaron Blake  | March 1, 2011; 12:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Case For/Case Against  
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Tim Pawlenty courts the tea party

Tim Pawlenty is courting tea party voters in advance of a 2012 run for president. Will it work?

By Rachel Weiner  | March 1, 2011; 10:40 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Eye on 2012  
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Unions winning battle for public opinion in Wisconsin

A plurality of people nationwide side with labor unions over Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) in the ongoing budget standoff in the Badger State, according to a new Pew Poll. Forty-two percent of people said they favor unions, while 31 percent take Walker's side and another nine percent take neither side in the skirmish.

By Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake  | March 1, 2011; 7:31 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Morning Fix  
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Afternoon Fix: Rick Perry blocks journalists, Newt Gingrich moves closer to run

Texas governor Rick Perry is blocking journalists on Twitter, more detail on Newt Gingrich's announcement and another challenger for Ben Nelson.

By Chris Cillizza  | February 28, 2011; 5:57 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Afternoon Fix  
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Nikki Haley offers hints at 2012 endorsement

Newly minted South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) will be endorsing in the 2012 GOP presidential race. And while she won't say whom just yet, it sounds like at least a few candidates have some work to do earning her support. In an interview with the Washington Post, Haley offered praise for Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, and Haley Barbour, among others. When it came to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, though, she suggested his best years may be behind him.