GOP Must Break Mold to Beat Hill

Many pundits ruled out Obama victory early

(NEWSER) - With the election over, what's more fun than calling out all those whose predictions were off—way off. Der Spiegel lists some highlights:

• "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win." Hillary Clinton, on Barack Obama
• "We'll win Florida." Rudy Giuliani
• "Virginians are really getting fired up for this ticket of McCain and Palin." George Allen
• "Romney for the Republicans, Hillary for the Democrats." Ann Coulter, on the nominees

The party has raised more than $97 million in 2007 and has $25 million on hand

(NEWSER) - The Democratic candidates may be flush with money, but their party isn't. The GOP has a nearly 7-to-1 advantage in cash on hand, the New York Times reports. Democrats hope to make up the gap once they settle on a nominee, but the GOP already has begun plotting with John McCain on how to best use the advantage. Republicans raised $97 million last year and have $25 million left; Dems raised $60.5 and have $3.7 million left. More»

Next few primaries favor Obama; race moves to superdelegates

(NEWSER) - With Barack Obama still very much in the race after Super Tuesday, Hillary Clinton turned away from her rival momentarily to take aim at the Republicans last night. "I won't let anyone Swift Boat this country's future," Clinton announced to followers. But she can't afford to take the long view for long, reports Time: primaries in the next few weeks are thought to favor Obama, who is virtually tied in delegates. Clinton will look to recoup in Ohio and Texas primaries in March. More»

Negative campaigning is more memorable and brings out voters

(NEWSER) - Except for a few barbs here and there, the 2008 campaign has been as polite as a tea party, and that's not a good thing, reports Reuters. Though many assume negative campaigning turns off voters, it's the negative details that stick and actually spur voters to cast a ballot, researchers say. "Democracy itself requires negativity," says one professor. "We want the right to be critical of those in power." More»

Politico's Simon sees candidate serving voters a steaming bowl of ... porridge

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton works hard to stay in the middle, presenting herself as the "just right" choice between extremes by modulating her language incredibly carefully and emphasizing that she is the only candidate with the experience to effect change. The Politico's Roger Simon looks at a barnstormer so consistent that the length of her stump speech varies by only seconds. More»