Ask Roll Call: Twitter Q&A Transcript
Roll Call is continuing Twitter Q-and-A sessions, and the latest edition was with Politics Editor Lauren Whittington. She’s a walking encyclopedia of facts about Congressional races and knows a lot about sports, too.
Follow her: @l_whittington
Since it was on Twitter, of course, her answers were kept to under 140 characters. A transcript follows.
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Roll Call
Welcome to 10th Twitter Q&A w/ Politics Editor Lauren Whittington @l_whittington. She’s been here 12 yrs in June, politics is her fave thing
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Roll Call
Thanks for all your questions, let’s get started!
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Roll Call
Q1! MT @ASafeBay: How many seats will Tea Party “purity tests” hand Democrats?? Only Utah is immune
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Roll Call
.@ASafeBay In lot of states it’s too early w/ primaries still forming – Maine & Indiana possible/but now Dems have no cand. @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Q2! RT @Doug1789: @rollcallpols Softball,…. will there be a government shutdown?
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Roll Call
.@Doug1789 If placing bets today, I’d put say chances 50/50 but there’s week to go. As it gets more real, pressure increases. @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Q3! MT @PreservationAct: @rollcallpols with all the proposed cuts, is anyone asking for any increases in domestic spending?
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Roll Call
.@PreservationAct Lawmakers always want more $ for own pet projects but looks unlikely any major new spending would pass @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Q4! RT @JenniferYachnin: Ask @rollcall Q+A: How much will McCaskill’s plane probs hurt her re-elect?
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Roll Call
.@JenniferYachnin A lot. It’s what she’s going to have to talk about 4 long while. Better it came out now, not March ’12 @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Q5! RT @singernews: @rollcall – for Politics Q&A – what 2012 House race would you most want to cover on-the-ground and why?
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Roll Call
.@singernews Too early to say b/c redistricting, any Member v. Member races (see Iowa) but Allen West likely to be top race. @l_whittington
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Roll Call
.@singernews Still one of my fave races was ’02 Holden v. Gekas in Pennsylvania. Really showed generational gap. @l_whittington
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Roll Call
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Roll Call
.@jbendery Yes, in some places. Influence somewhat overstated. Interesting to see how it evolves now as TP more established @l_whittington
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Roll Call
.@jbendery What will really be interesting is how they influence presidential primary. @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Q7! RT @ryanjcroft: @rollcall What is the chance Paul Ryan will run for president?
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Roll Call
.@ryanjcroft To dismay of @steventdennis, not happening in ’12. Certainly in the mix down the road & more likely Senate 1st @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Q8! RT @clarkshadows Why does Roll Call run so many photos of Kristi Noem?
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Roll Call
.@clarkshadows We should have more of @auctnr1 Rep. Billy Long (ed. note https://roll.cl/e7Dm51) @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Q9! RT @DJS1988: @l_whittington @rollcall Is there anybody who can effectively challenge Obama in 2012?
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Roll Call
.@DJS1988 Yes. State of economy will have a lot to do w/ his re-election prospects. Still time for dark horse to emerge @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Q10! RT @ryanjcroft: @rollcall @l_whittington Will Virginia continue its purple streak and create a close senate election this cycle?
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Roll Call
.@ryanjcroft Yes. It’s one of our Tossups. But if Kaine doesn’t run, Perriello/Allen matchup could be fascinating. @l_whittington
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Roll Call
Thanks @l_whittington for sitting down with us today. We had fun. Next Thurs, @dnewhauser will be on tap.
Follow @rollcall on Twitter and follow our staff list for the full complement of reporters and editors.
Read our previous Twitter Q&A transcripts with Steven T. Dennis here, Jennifer Bendery here, Steve Peoples here, John Stanton here, Stu Rothenberg here, Paul Singer here, the talented photo department (Tom Williams, Bill Clark, Doug Graham and Andrew Satter) here, Ambreen Ali here and Kate Ackley here.
