If you haven’t looked up recently, President Trump is everywhere. He is campaigning across the country at a frenetic pace. …
No president in modern memory has done what Trump is doing right now. Despite an approval rating that has been underwater since the start of his presidency, he has chosen to make the coming midterm elections all about him. …
Gary Jacobson, a distinguished emeritus professor of political science at the University of California at San Diego, has observed that this will be “the most sweeping and divisive national referendum on any administration as least since the Great Depression.” …
Jacobson also noted that presidential approval long has had a major influence on how people vote in midterm elections, adding that Trump’s ratings “have so far had a stronger influence than those of any predecessor.” Republicans not only agree with the president on most issues, he wrote, “they also take his side on virtually every major question about his performance and character, accepting even the most dubious propositions.” CONT.
Dan Balz, Washington Post