Outside the Beltway

Trying to explain one of the biggest surprises of Election Night 2014.

It’s way too early, folks.

The fact that a candidate like Mike Huckabee could win the Iowa Caucuses is the reason to end the Iowa Caucuses.

Mitch McConnell’s campaign was forced to do a shakeup thanks to a scandal that could envelop Ron Paul’s 2012 Presidential campaign.

It’s beginning to look like the 2016 race for the Republican nomination will have its own collection of oddballs.

A setback for supporters of Rand Paul in the Hawkeye State.

So, Dana Milbank has a column.

Nora Caplan-Bricker contends that, “Mike Huckabee Could Be President—If Only He Wanted It.”

Is Mike Huckabee about to re-enter politics in a big way?

It may be Rick Santorum’s “turn” but he’s too harsh and extreme to win the nomination.

Republicans seem to think they need fewer Presidential debates in the 2016 cycle, but it’s unclear how they can make that happen.

The Governor of Iowa thinks the Ames Straw Poll should be ended, but he really ought to go further than that.

Was Rick Perry the worst candidate to run in the 2012 cycle? It certainly appears so.

All of a sudden, people are talking about Mike Huckabee as a potential Romney running mate.

Ron Paul’s supporters are racking up delegate wins at party conventions in caucus states, but it won’t matter in the end.

What would have happened if Sarah Palin had decided to run for the Republican nomination this year?

We may have Rick Santorum to deal with in 2016.

Rick Santorum’s stump speeches have becoming increasingly dark.

This is no way to pick a Presidential Nominee.

So, you thought the people running the Iowa Caucuses, who had to count something like seven votes and yet declared the wrong winner, had egg on their face. Well, their buddies in Maine have upped the ante.

Once again, the face of the Republican race has changed.

Are culture war issues about to make a comeback in the 2012 campaign?

Mitt Romney won big last night, Newt Gingrich was Newt Gingrich, and the race is coming to the beginning of the end.

Last night, South Carolina was Gingrich Country.

This year’s Iowa Caucuses stand as Exhibit A for an argument against Iowa being first in the nation.

It was another good night for Newt Gingrich in Charleston last night.

Toby Harnden tweets, “What a debacle for Iowa. Hard to see why candidates should take Iowa caucuses seriously in future.

The race in South Carolina is going down to the wire.

A recount in Iowa has changed the final numbers, but we really don’t know who won.

Mitt Romney’s rivals scored a few hits on him last night, but nothing that’s likely to make a difference.

After having so much influence in 2010, the Tea Party is finding itself adrift in the search for a Republican nominee in 2012.

Republican candidates have reached out to Tim Tebow for an endorsement. Desperation?

A good night for Romney, a surprising showing for Ron Paul, and the first steps toward the end of the race for the Republican nomination.

Is George Bush to blame for a weak Republican field almost four years after he left office? Not entirely.

Watching last night’s debate, you would have been surprised to learn that Mitt Romney has any real opponents in the Republican race.

Rick Santorum’s views on the role of government are somewhat disturbing.

Jon Huntsman has gambled everything on New Hampshire. It probably won’t pay off.

My evidence? Bill Kristol thinks he has a chance.

The GOP is at a distinct disadvantage in the political fight over President Obama’s Recess Appointment of Richard Cordray to head the CFPB.