Does Anybody Want to Win?

The midterm election is less than three months away. House races are particularly crucial since Democrats have little chance to take the Senate.

Right now I wonder if either side wants to win. The races that will make a difference are not being held in Midtown Manhattan or rural Nebraska. The party that wins is the one that can expand beyond their base.

The best issue the Republicans have is a strong economy. They were basking in the glow of a strong second quarter. President Trump changed the subject by threatening to shut down the government if Congress doesn’t appropriate money to build his wall. Immigration is a very sensitive topic for Republicans. They can discuss border security. The wall is Trump’s pet project and is not based on experts’ consensus on the best way to secure the border. It is a symbol of intolerance to many. He is throwing a temper tantrum and says his wall is more important than Republicans controlling Congress.

Meanwhile, the extreme left is getting lots of attention. There is a lot of talk about Socialism. A young woman is running around the country saying one stupid thing after another. We aren’t hearing Democrats standing up and defending their more traditional views.
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This election may turn on how badly Trump hurts Republicans or socialists hurt the Democrats.
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