Showdown in Mississippi
There's a very important election Tuesday and it's not the Democratic primary in West Virginia.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Newsletter sign up Newsletter
There's a very important election Tuesday and it's not the Democratic primary in West Virginia. It's the special congressional election in Mississippi. A Democratic win would -- and should -- propel Republicans from simple alarm into full-fledged panic.
This is the third election in 10 weeks in a solidly Republican district. Democrats won the first two, and if they manage to win this one, look for GOP leaders to go into crisis mode. Already, the loss of the first two seats -- in
House GOP Leader John Boehner of Ohio (opens in new tab) lectured his flock sternly (opens in new tab) about the need to burnish the GOP "brand" and plans to create a committee to advise him. At the same time, Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the head of House Republican election efforts, warned members to make raising cash a top priority.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
By right, the race in Mississippi for a seat held by Republicans since 1994 shouldn't even be close. But conservative Democrat Travis Childers won more votes than Republican Greg Davis and forced a runoff. As they did in Louisiana, without success, Republicans are running ads trying to tie Childers to Barack Obama (opens in new tab) and, by implication, to Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. The ads replay Wright's controversial remarks criticizing the U.S. and imply Childers agrees because he didn't speak out immediately .
This has not been a good year for Republicans and all the usual indicators point to big losses in November -- a weak economy, unhappiness with the war in Iraq and the very low approval ratings for President Bush. The one bright spot, Republicans say, will be having John McCain at the top of the ticket in the fall -- and having Obama to attack. We'll find out Tuesday whether that's a real plus -- or an empty hope.
-
-
Tax Season is Here. What to Know Before You File
The IRS is accepting tax returns for the 2023 tax season, but there are some key things to know before you file.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
6 Questions Your Financial Adviser Should be Asking
To effectively help you with your retirement strategy, a retirement professional must get a clear picture of what you have and what you need.
By Tyler Hill, Investment Adviser Representative • Published
-
The Biden Tax Plan: How the Build Back Better Act Could Affect Your Tax Bill
Politics Depending on your income, the Build Back Better Act recently passed by the House could boost or cut your future tax bills.
By Rocky Mengle • Last updated
-
Kiplinger's 2020 Election Forecast
Politics For nearly a century, The Kiplinger Letter has forecasted the outcome of presidential elections to keep readers informed of what's coming and what it means for them. Here's our call for 2020.
By The Kiplinger Washington Editors • Published
-
The 2020 Election and Your Money
Politics We’ve assessed how the presidential candidates’ stances on financial issues will affect your wallet.
By the editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance • Published
-
5 HEROES Act Provisions with a Good Chance of Becoming Law
Politics The massive federal stimulus bill just passed by the House of Representatives is "dead on arrival" in the Senate. But a few proposals in the bill have enough bipartisan support to eventually become law.
By Rocky Mengle • Published
-
Vote by Mail: A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Ballot Voting
Politics With health authorities recommending people continue to social distance, the idea of voting by mail is becoming an increasingly hot topic.
By Rivan V. Stinson • Last updated
-
9 Ways COVID-19 Will Change the 2020 Elections
Politics The 2020 election will be like no other in history, as the COVID-19 pandemic will upend the business of politics as usual.
By Sean Lengell • Published
-
How to Run for Local Office
Politics If you’ve ever thought that you could do a better job than the elected officials currently in office, here’s how to launch a campaign—and win.
By Kaitlin Pitsker • Published
-
Ranking the Top Democratic Presidential Candidates for 2020
Politics The 2020 Democratic presidential nominating contest has attracted unprecedented interest.
By Nicole Duran • Last updated