The prospects for Republicans to maintain control of Congress this fall are grim. Since 1950, the average midterm election loss for the incumbent President’s political party in the U.S. House was 25 seats.
It may be worse for Republicans in this midterm election. One GOP House member anonymously told Politico that Republicans could suffer a bloodbath and “lose 60 to 70 seats.”
Why the pessimism? The fate of the GOP directly correlates with the political standing of President Donald Trump. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll shows him with only a 36% approval rating, the lowest of his second term. His approval on economic issues was 29%, while 35% approved of the military strikes against Iran. Since the war began, gas prices have risen by $1 per gallon, contributing to his unpopularity.
