Why the Republican freakout has intensified — and Mitch McConnell may have committed a fatal blunder
If you have any questions about why Hill Republicans are sweating bullets, The New York Times’ Jonathan Martin has a few clues that might elucidate the matter:
The filing period has not even ended in some states, and there are far more Democratic hopefuls than at any time in the last quarter-century, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political donations.
Notably, there are even more Democrats running for the House this year than there were Republican hopefuls in 2010, when the Tea Party uprising against Mr. Obama helped sweep in 63 new House Republicans.
Stephanie Schriock, the head of Emily’s List, which backs female Democrats who support abortion rights, called this year’s election a “huge empowerment moment” for those eager to thwart Mr. Trump.
“There’s this complete desire to stop what’s happening with the Trump Republican Party, and a feeling that they have to take control or this country will move back decades,” Ms. Schriock said.
in fact, an article by Sean Sullivan in today’s WaPo suggests that the GOP has already all but given up on holding the House:
Republicans are increasingly worried they will lose control of the House in the midterm elections, furiously directing money and resources to hold and potentially boost their narrow majority in the Senate.
To many, the Senate is emerging as a critical barrier against Democrats demolishing President Trump’s agenda beginning in 2019. Worse yet, some in the GOP fear, Democrats could use complete control of Congress to co-opt the ideologically malleable president and advance their own priorities.
Democratic enthusiasm is surging in suburban districts that House Republicans are struggling to fortify, causing GOP officials, donors and strategists to fret. They have greater confidence in the more rural red states Trump won convincingly that make up the bulk of the Senate battlefield.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his allies are seeking to capitalize on concerns about the House. He is leading an effort to motivate conservative voters by reminding them that his side of the Capitol has the unilateral power to confirm federal judges and Trump administration nominees.
In other words, McConnell is slipping the shiv between the ribs of every House GOP incumbent. That should help matters — for Democrats. Heckuva job, Mitch!
