Amy Walter

Amy Walter
Amy Walter is an American political analyst, currently serving as national editor of The Cook Political Report. Before this, she served as the political director of ABC News, based in Washington, DC...
changes democratic easier guys iraq party public
There's been a rift in the Democratic Party about Iraq from the beginning. As the American public changes its views, it makes it easier for these guys (to change).
fall harder identified outsider
The more she is identified as a candidate, the harder it is to fall back on the outsider appeal.
define front instead letting problem
This is called get out in front of a problem instead of letting it define you.
america business class community focus investors message middle question raises respond standing talk
Kerry's focus and his message has really been middle class, middle America, 'I'm standing up for the little guy' and middle class investors respond to that, but that raises the question of how do you go back and talk to the business community after that.
three
It is one thing if it is three weeks. Three months, that is another story.
election exposure folks home minimize needs nervous possible sort spade spend time work
Many folks are very nervous about their own election prospects; they're going to want to spend as much time as possible back home doing the kind of spade work that needs to be done before a big election, and they also want to minimize any sort of exposure in Washington.
hit wave weakness year
If there is a (Democratic) wave this year and it's going to hit anywhere, it's the Northeast. That is where Bush's weakness is felt.
advantage giving helpful terms woman
Being a woman is very helpful in terms of giving a different look to the party, and she has an advantage there.
ability break experience gives instant sword views
Their experience gives them instant credibility and the ability to break out and get their views heard. But it can be a double-edged sword if they get pigeonholed as one-issue candidates.
discipline fiscal gas healthcare message ripe upset voters
If voters are upset about $3 gas and healthcare costs, they're ripe for a message that emphasizes fiscal discipline.
border certainly changed control guard inherent jobs last male national sorts ultimate voters whether women
Certainly things have changed in the last 20 years in voters' perceptions whether women can do the job. But there's still an inherent nervousness on the part of voters to put women in as the ultimate decision-maker. Control of the National Guard and border security, those sorts of traditionally male jobs that's where I think voters consciously or unconsciously have difficulties with women candidates.
certainly confidence district issues polished shows talking tenure terms
Gard is certainly the most polished of the bunch, and he's had a long tenure in the Legislature. That shows in terms of his confidence in talking about the district and issues and the race.
starts
I don't see that Cuellar starts off as particularly vulnerable.
community democrats environmental helps
This helps keep Pombo in the spotlight, which is really what the Democrats and many in the environmental community want to do.