Archive for January 2014
Obama’s America: State References in SOTU Addresses
When searching for episodic examples to bolster his policies in SOTU addresses, the president turns to the battleground states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ohio more than any other.
Read MoreFrom Red to Blue
Barack Obama has delivered an address before a joint session of Congress eight times since taking office five years ago. During his first three speeches (February 2009’s inaugural address to Congress, September 2009’s address on health care reform, and the…
Read MoreA State-by-State Historical Snapshot of Michelle Obama’s SOTU Guest Lists
Arizona is just the 15th most populous state, but 13 of its residents have been guests of the First Lady during President Obama’s first five addresses – highest in the nation.
Read MoreRadel Resigns with 2nd Shortest US House Tenure in Florida History
The only other Floridian with a shorter stint in the U.S. House served 141 years ago after successfully contesting the state’s at-large Election of 1870.
Read MoreA Brief History of Republican SOTU Responses
Cathy McMorris Rodgers is the fifth woman from the GOP to deliver a televised opposition response and the second youngest member overall in a congressional leadership position to do so.
Read MoreDavid Vitter Launches Historic Gubernatorial Bid in Louisiana
No U.S. Senator from Louisiana has appeared on a gubernatorial primary or general election ballot over the last 110 years.
Read MoreWho Remembered MLK? (US House Edition)
Democratic U.S. Representatives honored Dr. King via press releases at more than three times the rate of Republicans over the holiday weekend
Read MoreHow Often Do Special Elections Flip US Senate Seats?
The partisan hold of nearly one-third of U.S. Senate seats have flipped in special elections over the last 100 years.
Read MoreMinnesota: Where Female Lieutenant Governors Reign
Gopher State voters have elected women to the lieutenant governor slot more than any other state – eight times since 1982 – tallying a record 31 consecutive years and counting.
Read MoreTom Latham’s Exit Revisited
Tom Latham’s surprise announcement last month that he would retire from the U.S. House at this end of this term was also an unusual exit in modern Hawkeye State history. Over the last 50+ years since the 1962 cycle, only…
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