President Trump has just about seven months to convince voters that the Republican Party should retain power. As you’ve heard, incumbent presidents often get hammered in midterm elections for failure to meet expectations.
Despite media opposition, Mr. Trump’s policies may give the GOP strong arguments. Here are some bullet points.
- Inflation and unemployment are under control, the spending and trade deficits are shrinking. Excellent outcome for one year in office.
- Gas prices at the pump are down significantly, but home utilities are not. The brutal cold in the northeast will hurt consumers.
- Food prices are mixed. If you buy at premium places like Whole Foods, you’ll get hurt. If you go to big discount stores like Costco, your budget will be easier to achieve.
- Insurance costs are painful. Big problem for Republicans.
- The border is secured, but ICE has a public relations problem. This can be fixed with more information about migrant detentions. That needs to happen soon.
- The Venezuela intervention was a success. Next up Iran. Putin is in trouble with his own people. But Americans don’t vote on foreign policy.
However, the GOP does have an unreported advantage: the radicalization of the Democratic Party.
In 1999, just 5 percent of Dems said “very liberal”, according to polling. Today, that number has risen to 21 percent.
In addition, a Washington Post poll says 54 percent of Americans say the Democratic Party is “too liberal.”
Advantage, President Trump. But he has to build on it.
See you for the No Spin News this evening.
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