Do Endorsements Matter?

Do Endorsements Matter?

Which, if any, endorsements made a difference for the Democrats? One of the major features of explaining the primary victories of either candidate in any given state or territory, alongside demographics or previous voting history, has been the litany of endorsements that are collected along the way. However, when we compare the geographical and chronological spread of these endorsements, we see that they frequently appear to be entirely independent of their chosen candidate’s success in that state. I wanted to…

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Tuesday continuation thread

Tuesday continuation thread

Please continue today’s discussions here. As HenryG suggested in an excellent post this morning – is autumn the real deadline for Gordon now? – and if it is, will matters improve sufficiently by then that he will be able to keep his job? Meanwhile, Guido is quoting a campaign source that Hillary’s speechwriters are preparing a concession speech… Guest articles welcome As I’m sure you all know, Mike is on holiday in Spain, although he should still be able to…

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If you think Gordon can survive, a 2010 GE looks nailed on

If you think Gordon can survive, a 2010 GE looks nailed on

Is the 42 days vote the next crunch time for Brown? So, it hasn’t been Milburn, or Clarke, or Miliband. The post-Crewe bank holiday weekend has passed without any major figure stepping out to publically take on the PM, and the febrile atmosphere has subsided slightly as ministers have rallied round their embattled, if not quite fatally wounded, leader – but as a new week begins, a new issue raises its head, this time over road tax and fuel duties….

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Does Dustin’s exit make a “No” vote more likely?

Does Dustin’s exit make a “No” vote more likely?

Wikipedia Commons Ireland votes on the Lisbon Treaty in 17 days’ time The annual Eurovision extravanganza has just ended, and although Terry Wogan may be calling it a day due to the increasingly “political” nature of the voting, this provides plenty of trading opportunities for punters. Another possible political aspect of Eurovision that has been mooted is that of the Irish entry Dustin the Turkey, who enjoyed the accolade of being the event’s first non-human entry, but only made it…

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Will Gordon listen to Alan?

Will Gordon listen to Alan?

Overnight continuation thread…. The above picture is a screen shot I took from some of the day’s BBC coverage. I don’t know what is going on there but it appears to be quite telling. Anyway at this time tomorrow night I’ll be on the HotelTrain travelling from Paris to Madrid for a touring holiday in Spain – first port of call Granada. Once again Paul Maggs, assisted by Morus, will be acting as guest editors. I’m taking my Vodafone dongle…

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Will Labour’s big gamble pay off?

Will Labour’s big gamble pay off?

Can Gordon turn the ratings round? Nearly three days after the Crewe & Nantwich result the signs are this evening that there is no stomach within the Labour party for a leadership challenge and that the movement will stick with Gordon. Those leading cabinet ministers who have been named as possible replacements have made supportive statements and it is hard to see what could bring his leadership to a head. Ministers and MPs are gambling that the dramatic collapse of…

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Why are MPs such lousy talent spotters?

Why are MPs such lousy talent spotters?

What is it that repeatedly makes them choose losers? I am coming to the conclusion that there is something in the DNA of those who manage to climb the greasy poll to become MPs that makes them such terrible judges when it comes to who should lead their parties. Can anybody explain why 313 current members of the Parliamentary Labour Party should have signed Gordon’s nomination papers to give him a free run last year when there was so much…

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