Staff Reports
Oh boy, have there been some rough nights for the GOP since 2016! The New York Times recently released a poll that got tongues wagging. It showed President Biden struggling in swing states, with voters preferring Trump and Republicans on important issues like the economy. And let’s be honest, the economy has seen better days under Biden. Prices are skyrocketing, people are unhappy, and the border crisis is a total disaster. Plus, the Democrats are arguing amongst themselves about whether to support Israel. You’d think with all these problems, the GOP would be cleaning up in the elections. Well, think again.
Analysis: Despite Biden Unpopularity, Another Bad Night for the GOP
https://t.co/382GIwI71Z— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 8, 2023
Just like in 2022, it seems that the public’s appetite for what the GOP is selling is out of step with reality. Despite the abysmal economy and Biden’s awful approval ratings, the opposition should be winning big. But instead, they’re barely squeaking by and even losing ground in some places. Take Kentucky, for example. The state’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, won re-election comfortably against a rising Republican star, even though he was endorsed by Donald Trump and is a protege of Mitch McConnell. Talk about beating the odds! Beshear distanced himself from the national party, ran as a moderate, and managed to outperform Biden’s approval rating in the state. Hats off to him.
And in Mississippi, another deeply red state, the incumbent Republican governor won re-election, but just barely. His margin was weaker than Beshear’s in Kentucky. Despite being pro-Trump and having Trump’s endorsement, Tate Reeves couldn’t secure an easy victory in a state that went overwhelmingly for Trump in 2020. That’s a red flag for Republicans, no doubt. It seems like every election since 2016 has been a struggle for them.
The GOP also had hopes of holding onto power in Virginia, but that didn’t go as planned either. They lost control of the lower legislative chamber and fell short of regaining the Senate. Even though Governor Glenn Youngkin is popular and campaigned hard for his party’s candidates, they couldn’t quite seal the deal. The Democrats ran a clever campaign, painting every GOP candidate as a Trump acolyte and fearmongering about abortion. Despite Youngkin’s reasonable stance on abortion, the Democratic base turned out in force and the Republicans fell short. Now the Democrats have slim majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. It’s a tough blow for the GOP, especially considering Biden’s unpopularity.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for Republicans. There were some scattered victories across the country, including some big surprises. However, these victories shouldn’t be necessary with Biden’s approval ratings in the gutter and the electorate feeling pessimistic. Something doesn’t add up. One possible explanation is that the parties are changing. Republicans are becoming more blue collar and diverse, while educated, wealthier voters in cities and suburbs are flocking to the Democrats. This could mean that higher turnout and high-profile elections draw more moderate-to-low-propensity voters who lean Republican. Trump supporters argue that having Trump on the ballot will be a game-changer, but it’s a risky gamble. Only time will tell.
Let’s not forget the Democrats’ advantage in money and media. They consistently outspend Republicans and the media often acts like a Democratic Super PAC. It’s an uphill battle for the GOP. Questions about the effectiveness and priorities of the Republican National Committee will undoubtedly grow louder. Losing is no fun, and there have been a lot of losses. But in an incredibly polarized nation, it’s clear that the fight is far from over. The GOP needs to regroup, find a winning strategy, and put up a strong fight for the values they hold dear. The stakes are high, but conservatives have never been known to back down from a challenge.
