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ATLANTA -- Republicans crowed in 2004 that freshly re-elected President George W. Bush had established a "permanent governing majority" for the GOP. Eight years later, Democrats were touting the enduring power of the "Obama coalition" to keep their party in the White House.

But Democrats couldn't sustain that coalition for this year's midterm elections, leading to Republican gains in Congress, governorships and state legislatures nationwide.

"The notion of demographics as destiny is overblown," said Republican pollster and media strategist Wes Anderson. "Just like (Bush aide Karl) Rove was wrong with that `permanent majority' talk, Democrats have to remember that the pendulum is always swinging."

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Mo Rocca, host of the film "Electoral Dysfunction" airing on PBS, helps us understand...

So how will it swing in 2016? Is the path to 270 electoral votes so fixed that one side just can't win? Do Obama's unpopularity carry over into the next race for the White House? Or will an increasingly diverse electorate pick a Democrat for a third consecutive presidential election for the first time since Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman won five straight elections from 1932 to 1948?

Despite Democrats' midterm shellacking and talk of a "depressed" liberal base, many in the party still like their starting position for 2016. Ruy Teixiera, a Democratic demographer, points to a group of states worth 242 electoral votes that Democratic presidential nominee has won in every election since 1992. Hold them all, and the party is just 28 votes shy of the majority needed to win the White House next time.

Obama twice compiled at least 332 electoral votes by adding wins in most every competitive state. He posted double-digit wins among women, huge margins among voters younger than 30 and historically high marks among blacks and Latinos.

As non-white voters continue to grow as a share of the electorate, a Democratic nominee that roughly holds Obama's 2012 level of support across all demographic groups would win the national popular vote by about 6 percentage points and coast in the Electoral College, Teixeira estimates.

"Could a Republican win? Sure," Teixeira said. "But they have to have a lot of different things happen."

Go here to read the rest:
What will it take for the GOP to win the White House in 2016?

In the world of political analysis, there are few more urgent tasks than shuffling people in the news into the appropriate political bucket, the better to understand their motivations and likely future endorsements.

It is in that spirit that we reached out to prominent political consultants and politicians to ask them to offer their opinion on the week's biggest newsmaker: Kris Kringle, a.k.a. Santa Claus. Our thanks to those who participated -- and, of course, if other prominent figures (President Obama, Pope Benedict) wish to weigh in, please email. And our thanks to internet hero @darth, who created our Reagan-and-Kennedy-in-Santa-hat icons.

Santa Claus is clearly a Republican. He actually delivers what he promises. He and the elves believe in hard work. He helps children for free, he doesn't put them deeper in debt. He unites all of us in a love of Christmas. He isn't a divider.

Santa is definitely a Democrat. Rather than cater to the wealthiest one percent he rewards people who work hard and play by the rules. And while he's not a participant in the first lady's anti-obesity campaign he's very concerned about climate change. After all, Rudolph can fly but he can't swim.

Republican: 1. Imagine a Democrat wearing that much red. 2. If you like your gift, you can actually keep your gift. 3. He looks a lot like Rutherford B. Hayes. 4. Would Mrs. Obama approve of all the milk and cookies?

As someone greatly impacted by and deeply concerned about climate change -- and who has negative views on coal -- Santa is clearly a Democrat.

My sister Kiki suggests he is a Democrat: "He cares about all the children, rich or poor. He cares about the elf's as workers and he believes there is good in the world to be celebrated not just evil to defend against. He believes in holding the naughty accountable. Ultimately he knows is role is important for the future."

I, however, recall the reporting of my fellow Longhorn Berke Breathed back in 1981 that demonstrated Santa's Republican roots when he rejected the demands of PETCO (Professional Elves Toy-Making and Craft Organization) for higher wages, a hot tub in the locker room, and "short broads." When the elves went on strike, President Reagan fired them all and replaced them with out-of-work air traffic controllers. The resulting riot forced Santa to rehire, but in humiliating new positions such as reindeer.

Thus, it is undeniable that Santa Claus is a Reagan Democrat.

Republican... out of shape, obsessed with red, employees required to work day and night, addicted to coal.

The rest is here:
Is Santa a Republican or a Democrat? - The Washington Post

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin lawmakers will likely weigh legislation next year that would require judges to leave the bench when they turn 75.

Republican Rep. Dean Knudson, of Hudson, said he plans to introduce the measure in the upcoming session. If it passes the GOP-run Legislature, three Supreme Court justices and many lower court judges would be forced to retire, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

Republican Gov. Scott Walker would appoint judges to fill unexpired terms. Reserve and temporary judges would be exempt under the proposal.

Knudson said he's responding to the will of the people and insists his proposal isn't motivated by partisanship. Voters in 1977 directed the Legislature to set a mandatory retirement age no earlier than 70, a requirement hasn't been acted on to date.

"All our judges have taken their oath of office to uphold the constitution ... just like the Legislature," Knudson said. "However, for more than 30 years -- nearly 40 years -- we haven't taken any action. It's time that we do."

But Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, 81, opposes Knudson's proposal and another proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state's highest court to elect its own chief justice from among its seven members. The position currently goes to the member with the most tenure.

Abramson has held the job for the past 18 years and is part of the three-member liberal minority. She, Justice Pat Roggensack, 74, and Justice N. Patrick Crooks, 76, would have to step down if Knudson's anticipated bill passes.

"To the extent that either enactment affects presently sitting judges and justices, it ignores and overturns the vote of the people. The people elected the members of the judiciary for a fixed term and a set office," Abrahamson said. "The Wisconsin constitution should not be used to target judges.

"If the Legislature adopts these proposals, it is frustrating the electorate and injecting the ugliness of partisan politics into the judiciary, a non-partisan independent branch of government."

Continued here:
Republican lawmaker seeks to create mandatory retirement age for Wisconsin judges

Embattled Republican Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) pleaded guilty Tuesday to a single count of tax evasion, but said he would not resign his seat.

In a Brooklyn courtroom before U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen, Grimm admitted to aiding in the filing of a false tax return, according to court filings.

Grimm was indicted in April on federal charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion, employing undocumented workers, and perjury in relation to a Manhattan fast-food restaurant he once co-owned and operated.

Grimm admitted that he had made "off the books" payments to employees and under-reported nearly $1 million in gross receipts to the Internal Revenue Service and New York state tax collectors. He also admitted that he lied during a deposition about whether employees had been paid in cash, and whether he had used email accounts to operate the restaurant.

"I should not have done it and I am truly sorry for it," he told reporters outside the courtroom.

He struck a defiant tone when asked whether he would resign after the plea. "I'm going to get back to work and work as hard as I can," said the 44-year-old, who represents Staten Island.

Grimm had previously said that if he was convicted, he would step down from Congress. "Certainly, if I was not able to serve, then of course I would step aside," he said at a debate in October, according to the Associated Press.

In a 20-count indictment unsealed in April, federal prosecutors accused Grimm of under-reporting his employees wages to the IRS, paying them in envelopes full of cash, and said he had lied under oath when he claimed he was not responsible for handling payroll.

Grimm sold his interest in the restaurant before taking office in 2011, according to prosecutors.

The trial in his case was set to begin in February, according to the Associated Press. If convicted, Grimm could have faced a prison sentence of anywhere from six months for hiring undocumented workers to 20 years for each of the mail and wire fraud charges, prosecutors said.

More here:
Rep. Michael Grimm pleads guilty in tax case, refuses to resign

Gerald Steinberg: Will Republican Congress Clash with Obama Over Israel

By: IBA News VOD

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Gerald Steinberg: Will Republican Congress Clash with Obama Over Israel - Video