Cozen Oconnor Public Strategies - The Beltway Briefing

With the election just days away, the Public Strategies team predicts key race outcomes and discusses whether divided government will continue. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

With early voting underway, it raises the question: “Is the cake already baked?” Are there still undecided voters out there, or are we just waiting for the remaining ballots to roll in? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

As the gender gap continues to widen at the top of the ticket, it is crucial to understand how gender and their roles are impacting the 2024 election. Women constitute a large and influential voting bloc, and their participation in the election could be decisive. How candidates address key issues — like reproductive rights, economic uncertainty, and child and elder care — could tip the scales in swing states. Featuring Public Strategies’ Meagan Foster, Jessica Monahan, and Julia Hammond.

The Harris-Walz campaign has focused heavily on one message: vote against Trump. Will relying solely on an anti-Trump message carry enough weight to win this time? Will voters cast their ballots based on their real interests — or merely the perception of those interests? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

The vice presidential debate was marked by a civil tone, characterized by politicos as 'Midwest nice.' While the Vance-Walz debate may not significantly impact the November election, Senator JD Vance’s polished style contrasted sharply with Governor Tim Walz’s rusty performance. As the Washington echo chamber anticipates a Harris victory, some are feeling an eerie sense of déjà vu from 2016, when Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton hit an electoral ceiling. Instead, the question becomes: have roles reversed, will Trump hit a ceiling this cycle? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

State-level political commentary often functions as an echo chamber. As red pockets emerge in traditionally blue states like Illinois, New York, and Virginia, it becomes crucial to analyze and compare the local political dynamics, pressing issues, and recent events driving these shifts to build a meaningful national narrative. How will these local challenges shape federal outcomes? What factors are energizing voters at the grassroots level? And what predictions, if any, can be drawn from these local trends for the top of the ticket? Featuring Public Strategies’ John Dunn (Illinois), Rose Christ (New York), and Julia Hammond (Virginia).

As the 2024 election approaches, the rise of populism has intensified the divide between leadership, policy, and public sentiment, exemplified by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ decision not to endorse a presidential candidate. Is this election driven more by emotion than logic? And could it all come down to something as simple as the "donut test"? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Jamie Ansorge.

Did the minds of any voters change after the Harris-Trump debate? Does the debate matter for down ballot races? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

The media’s narrative has Democrats viewing the presidential race through rose-colored glasses, but this election will be decided by razor-thin margins. While the Harris-Walz campaign positions itself as the “changemakers,” many Americans are still unsure what their vision of “change” truly means. Tuesday’s first Harris-Trump debate gives former President Donald Trump a critical chance to redirect the conversation from personality politics back to policy. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer and Mark Alderman.

As Vice President Kamala Harris clinches the Democratic nomination for president this week, the Public Strategies team reports from Chicago, site of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, providing a bipartisan analysis of the current state of play. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

Hailing from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Governor Tim Walz joins Vice President Kamala Harris as her Democratic running mate in her bid to secure the White House this November. But who is Tim Walz? Can the Harris-Walz ticket secure the blue wall? How will he govern as Harris’ number two? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and John Reich (Minnesota).

With Vice President Kamala Harris rising to the top of the Democratic ticket, the “double-haters” now have a choice this November. The shift from President Joe Biden to Harris has energized the Democratic base, bringing young voters back into the fold. What role will gender and race play in the election? Who will she select as her running mate? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin.

This RNC is being hailed as one of the best stage-managed conventions ever. All eyes now shift to see who comes out of Chicago as the Democrat nominee. One thing is certain, this will not be a normal August. Featuring Public Strategies' Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.

Concerns over President Joe Biden’s age and fitness are shaking up the Democratic Party, leaving his nomination hanging in the balance. As the party evaluates his viability against Donald Trump, a critical question emerges: who has what it takes to defeat the former president? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

As Americans watched the first televised presidential debate, it became clear that American politics had hit a new low in its political discourse. Between President Biden's inability to set a narrative and pace, and former President Trump’s rapid-fire barrage of false statements, it resembled more of a debacle than anything remotely presidential. Featuring Public Strategies’ Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

As droves of migrants arrive at the Southern Border, the consequences of the federal government’s inaction on immigration profoundly affect major cities like New York City and Chicago. Members of Public Strategies' Federal, New York, and Chicago teams discuss the national perspective and the localized impact, emphasizing the need for comprehensive federal immigration reform and support to alleviate the burdens of the migrant crisis on urban areas. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French (Federal), Katie Schwab (New York), and John Dunn (Chicago).

Returning to Capitol Hill for the first time post-presidency, Trump found support among Republican leaders and members aiming to emulate the party’s 2016 success. Immigration and economic challenges remain top concerns for American voters, mirroring the recent rise of the far-right in Europe. Shifting focus to the Supreme Court, concerns about judicial politicization, ethics, and impartiality underscore the need for reform to preserve the system's credibility. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin.

With the Trump hush-money verdict in, Trump supporters are more emboldened than ever in their backing of the former president. Meanwhile, concerns are reignited over Biden’s age — is this merely a Republican deflection, or are Democrats genuinely panicking? In an effort to rally support, Biden might be playing politics at the Southern Border with his latest Executive Order restricting immigration, but is it too little, too late? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, the Hon. Rodney Davis, and Kyle Anderson.

The vilification of politics creates a perception that nothing gets done in Washington. While Congress often appears dysfunctional, it continues to govern, quietly advancing bipartisan, critical pieces of legislation. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.

As Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene attempted to oust Speaker Mike Johnson through a motion to vacate, Democrats calculated that the public's frustration with Washington dysfunction could harm their electoral prospects. Meanwhile, at the forefront of the campaign trial, the competition narrows between Biden, Trump, and the couch. From the hush-money trial to college campus Israel-Hamas protests to concerns about the economy and immigration, voters who harbor discontent toward both candidates, often termed 'double-haters,' face a pivotal choice. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer and Kyle Anderson.