Archive - Charlie Cook Politics

Can Democrats find enough defectors to vote their way?

Their candidates will win almost every blue voter, and the lion's share of independents. It may not be enough in key Senate races.

Aug 20 • Charlie Cook

You can’t repeat the elections past

So we beat on, electoral boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

Aug 13 • Charlie Cook

The purple-state problem

Swing states might be in the ideological center, but data shows they may be closer to one end than the other.

Aug 6 • Charlie Cook

The Morning after Michigan

The fight over control of the U.S.

Aug 5 • Charlie Cook

Blue Chip Quality Polling

As serious midterm election watchers await the results in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, I wanted to get several documents off my plate and…

Aug 5 • Charlie Cook

July 2026

The remaining primary risks for Democrats

Upcoming nominating contests could put must-win seats in play for Republicans if progressives prevail.

Jul 30 • Charlie Cook

Democrats saw Graham Platner as the key. The data said otherwise.

The now-defunct Senate candidacy had big assets and bigger liabilities.

Jul 23 • Charlie Cook

A generic Democrat is no guarantee in Maine

Sen. Susan Collins has a solid track record with political independents.

Jul 16 • Charlie Cook

Maine, Michigan scramble the Senate picture

Facts on the ground are changing rapidly in two must-win states for Democrats.

Jul 9 • Charlie Cook

Remembering Alan Greenspan and Glen Bolger

Plus: New Senate polling in critical Ohio, Maine.

Jul 2 • Charlie Cook

June 2026

Democrats still need the majority of toss-ups to go their way

The party currently has 205 solid, likely, and lean seats in its column. The GOP has 212—closer to the magic number of 218.

Jun 23 • Charlie Cook

For Republicans, is it about the environment or the exposure?

There aren't many low-lying political areas left that can get swallowed up in a political storm.

Jun 20 • Charlie Cook

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