Democrats ended 2016 dejected and despondent after Donald Trump shocked Hillary Clinton — and the world — by a tiny combined margin of 77,744 votes in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to win the presidency. A year later, Democrats are ending 2017 as the slight favorites to take back the House […] Read more »
Can salesmanship about the tax bill change the GOP’s midterms fortunes?
“I think it’s selling itself,” President Trump said Friday, with customary bravado, as he signed into law the $1.5 trillion, Republican-passed tax cut. Every Republican running in a competitive race in 2018 is hoping he’s correct, but they face an uphill climb to turn the president’s words into reality. There […] Read more »
Only the Economy Could Change the Political Atmosphere
There is no shortage of numbers and developments that should be worrisome to Republicans as they approach the 2018 midterm elections. Democrats swept both of the 2017 gubernatorial races, in New Jersey and Virginia, captured a U.S. Senate seat in ruby-red Alabama, and scored strong state legislative gains across the […] Read more »
Tax Cuts Buoy Republicans, but They’re Swimming Against an Undertow
The sweeping tax overhaul approved by Congress this week hands Republicans a long-sought achievement they believe will bolster their defenses in next year’s midterm campaign, but party officials concede the measure may only mitigate their losses in what is shaping up to be a punishing election year. While the tax […] Read more »
Keep Trump off the Trail in 2018
The White House “is planning a full-throttle campaign to plunge the president into the midterm elections,” according to the Washington Post. Aides insist that President Trump “wants to travel extensively and hold rallies” and “is looking forward to spending much of 2018 campaigning.” If true, this plan should be shelved. […] Read more »
Poll Hub: Tax Reform, Donald Trump, and 2018
With the passage of the tax reform bill, the Republicans in Congress hope to start off the New Year with a sense that the GOP-controlled Congress can have legislative success. But, with so many questions about tax reform left unanswered, is this really a win for Republicans? … Plus, which is […] Read more »