Brent R. Orrell | FrumForum

Stories by Brent R. Orrell

Brent R. Orrell is Principal of the Fulcrum Group, a Virginia-based consulting firm. He served for eight years in the Bush Administration and worked for 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

The GOP Breaks Out of the South

Brent R. Orrell wrote on November 3rd, 2010 at 3:39 pm

The biggest story from last night’s GOP victory was the party’s ability to expand its reach outside the South, picking up key seats in the East and Midwest. more

3 Comments

GOP Fights to Close West Coast Gender Gap

Brent R. Orrell wrote on October 29th, 2010 at 3:29 pm

On the West Coast, women and independent voters will play an outsized role in determining the outcome of key statewide races. more

5 Comments

Gender Gap Could End GOP’s West Coast Hopes

Brent R. Orrell wrote on October 7th, 2010 at 7:58 am

Despite a set of high-profile female candidates, Republicans in the West are still losing the fight to win over women voters. more

23 Comments

Rossi Winning Over Independents

Brent R. Orrell wrote on September 30th, 2010 at 5:18 pm

In Washington, GOP candidate Dino Rossi leads Sen. Patty Murray amongst independent voters. But will ramping up his attack alienate those supporters? more

4 Comments

Reid Losing Ground to Angle

Brent R. Orrell wrote on September 29th, 2010 at 5:16 pm

The latest poll shows Harry Reid leading in Nevada’s Senate race. A closer look though shows him losing the very swing voters he will need in November. more

10 Comments

Why the GOP’s Gains Won’t Last for Long

Brent R. Orrell wrote on September 27th, 2010 at 12:40 am

Republicans hailing a new poll showing independents breaking for the GOP should be cautious. These gains may not last past this election. more

33 Comments

Reid’s Play for Women Voters Backfiring

Brent R. Orrell wrote on September 16th, 2010 at 7:54 am

Harry Reid’s attack ads have driven up Sharron Angle’s negatives amongst female voters. Yet, at the same time, Angle’s share of women voters has risen. more

1 Comment

Big Primary Turnout Shows Energized Republican Base

Brent R. Orrell wrote on September 15th, 2010 at 11:20 am

One factor united primary races across the country: the higher turnout and voter enthusiasm evident on the Republican side. more

6 Comments

The Coming Budget Bust-Up

Brent R. Orrell wrote on September 2nd, 2010 at 8:00 am

A victory in November could leave a GOP-controlled Congress facing some tough choices and locked in a protracted budget fight with the president. more

12 Comments

Crist’s Fight Just Got Tougher

Brent R. Orrell wrote on August 25th, 2010 at 10:04 am

Early polls suggest that with Democrat Kendrick Meek in the Florida Senate race, Charlie Crist will have a tough time catching up to GOP-backed Marco Rubio. more

14 Comments

Dems Facing the Perfect Storm

Brent R. Orrell wrote on August 2nd, 2010 at 12:29 am

In polls, rank-and-file Democrats appear satisfied with the state of the nation. Unfortunately for Obama, happy voters often don’t vote. more

57 Comments

The Coming GOP Tsunami

Brent R. Orrell wrote on July 6th, 2010 at 6:44 pm

Barring a sharp reversal of trends, voters are about to sweep away the Democratic majority in the House and (at least) throw control of the Senate into question. more

24 Comments

What’s Next for the GOP?

Brent R. Orrell wrote on January 20th, 2010 at 4:35 pm

The Republican task over the next year and beyond is very tricky: keep the base engaged and motivated without permitting the President to demonize Republican policy. more

1 Comment

Dems Running Out of Options

Brent R. Orrell wrote on January 20th, 2010 at 12:01 am

The Democrats have reached a fork in the road. And they have put Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in charge of the map and compass. more

No Comments

The Dems Healthcare Trap

Brent R. Orrell wrote on November 5th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

The Blue Dog Democrats seem to be making a strenuous case for delaying and scaling back the Democratic approach on healthcare reform. What the Blue Dogs miss, of course, is what the party’s liberals see clearly: failing to deliver universal coverage will result in the liberal blogosphere tearing the party to pieces. more