Key 2010 Races will Test GOP's Anti-Washington Energy
As anti-Washington sentiment grows and the Tea Party gains more national exposure, gubernatorial and congressional elections this year may be affected, CBS News Chief Political Consultant Marc Ambinder said today on Washington Unplugged.
Key races this November, Ambinder told host John Dickerson, include the Senate Republican primary in Florida between Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist, the gubernatorial race in Ohio between Republican John Kaisch and Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, as well as the Senate Republican primary race in Kentucky.
The race in Florida is particularly intriguing, as former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani recently announced his support for former Florida House Speaker Rubio, which Ambinder said was a stunning development for Governor and former GOP 'Golden Boy' Crist. That endorsement seems to be retribution for Crist reneging on a promise to support Giuliani for president back in 2008.
"The word of the day is 'Payback,'" said Ambinder.
Ambinder said there will be at least 23 new governors across the nation come November, which may change the party breakdown of state politics. As Tea Party supporters drift further and further to the political right, Ambinder said there is some doubt that arch-conservative candidates will be able to win elections in more moderate states. For example, the Kentucky Senate GOP race features Rand Paul, Tea Party hero and son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, against more mainline Republican Trey Grayson, the Kentucky Secretary of State.
"This will test whether the anti-Washington energy in the Republican Party is the predominant ideology," said Ambinder.
Also debuting on Unplugged Monday was "Knoller's Nuggets," a breakdown of presidential history with Chief White House Correspondent Mark Knoller. Recently anointed an "unofficial" White House Historian by the Wall Street Journal, Knoller discussed President Obama's relationships with foreign leaders in light of a recent strange encounter with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Following Easter Sunday, Unplugged's Kaylee Hartung featured a piece on the White House Easter Egg Roll, taking place today on the White House Lawn. Watch Washington Unplugged above.
"Washington Unplugged" appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click