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In this week's American Prospect, political analyst Mark Schmitt takes a hard look at the latest edition of Michael Barone's Almanac of American Politics. He ultimately tries to make a case for the irrelevancy of the Almanac today, arguing that most of the information in the Almanac is now widely available on the Internet, and the starkly partisan nature of today's politics renders individual Congress members' views less important than before. He also provocatively contends that Barone's publicly espoused ideological views hinder the book from adequately addressing recent upheavals in American politics and government, such as the 2006 election that catapulted the Democrats back into power and political scandals of Republicans such as Tom DeLay:

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Reid Wilson of Real Clear Politics recently interviewed Charles Mahtesian, an editor of the Almanac of American Politics, 2008. Mahtesian previews the 2008 political races and offers insight into the state of American politics.

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The release of National Journal's Almanac of American Politics, 2008 has been creating a buzz lately.

This week's Washington Post and the Swamp, Chicago Tribune's political blog, feature trivia questions from the creators of the Almanac. (Quick: which member of Congress delivered his 2002 opponent's baby?)

Matthew Continetti from the Weekly Standard, meanwhile, quotes the recent Almanac to suggest that political polarization rather than economic data is behind the re-emergence of the debate over income inequality. Continetti says little about the relation between overall macroeconomic growth and the distribution of wealth, though.

Finally, Reid Wilson, writing in Real Clear Politics, uses the Almanac's figures to suggest some implications for future political campaigns.

Time to get out the Almanac!

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Posted to Books for the News | National Journal | Politics and Current Events | Reviews

Writing in Louisville's Courier-Journal, Al Cross recently analyzed Kentucky's gubernatorial election, a competition that is often seen to have national implications.

In his discussion of potential competitors to incumbent U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell in next year's election, Cross concurs with the National Journal Group's Almanac of American Politics, 2008 that McConnell's position "seems secure, but his support for the Bush administration on Iraq and on immigration in 2007 makes it possible he might face competitive opposition in 2008."

Cross further argues that McConnell could face stiff competition from state auditor Crit Luallen.

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Posted to Books for the News | National Journal | Politics and Current Events

Charles Mahtesian, editor of National Journal's Almanac of American Politics, recently wrote an article for the Washington Post on presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's chances of winning the 2008 election.

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Michael Barone will be interviewed this Friday, October 19th at 1:00pm (EST) on National Journal's new radio show on XM Channel 130, the POTUS '08 station, a new 24 hour satellite radio station dedicated to the 2008 presidential election.

Linda Douglass, a contributing editor to National Journal, will talk with Barone about the 2008 race: Which states are likely to decide the outcome of the presidential election? Has the makeup of the political parties changed? Are voters as polarized as they have been in past elections?

The show will also be streaming live on National Journal's web site.

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From Politico.com: senior political writer Jonathan Martin blogs on the upcoming edition of the Almanac of American Politics, one of his favorite summer reads.

"Whether you're on the beach or at the lake," Martin writes, "prop up your feet and dive into a random state or district. You'll come away with an invaluable political education."

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Posted to National Journal | Reviews