Blue Wave Ebbs as GOP Rebounds

The battle for Congress just got a little tougher for Democrats

Democratic hopes for a wave election that would carry them to a significant House majority have been tempered in recent weeks amid a shifting political landscape and a torrent of hard-hitting attack ads from Republicans.

Democrats remain favored to win, but GOP leaders believe they can minimize the numberof seats they would lose – and, perhaps, find a path to preserving their advantage in the chamber.

The tightening, with just over two weeks left, reflects how President Donald Trump's rising approval rating and the polarizing fight over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughappear to be boosting the party's candidates in a number of conservative and rural districts that have been considered up for grabs.

But Democrats have retained their strength in key suburban areas, where polls show female voters furious with Trump are likely to help flip Republican-held seats.

Well, Democrats are still leading with a good margin

So it´s no surprise that the Democrats will take around 235. But you really expected more?

@Jacanuk: Expected more? No, I'm more pessimistic about the race for the House and Senate than many on here. I expect the race for the House to be tight and the race for the Senate to be virtually out of reach.

As a side note, regardless of how it turns out I can't take credit for any predictions or insights. I'm neither a prognosticator nor a political scientist, and I'm just watching the gauge vicariously through people who do this stuff for a living.

As the election date approaches, I'd expect more threads like this (if not from me, then from others) as the gauge solidifies and becomes more meaningful.

Hmm, more pessimistic than 235 seats, you are having the same issue I have as to the Republicans,

But with Trump closing in on 45% and the media hard at work with the whole Saudi thing and focusing on somewhat real news, it could turn out well for the Republicans as long as Trump keeps his big mouth shut a bit. It could turn out to be much closer. 31 seats are a toss up and some within a point difference towards the Democrats.

So it could end up 220/210 which would be a small republican "win"

But at least Republicans seem to secure the Senate and all talk of impeaching and convicting Kavanaugh and Trump at least for this term is dead in the water.

@mattbbpl: Liberal learning papers are going to be saying that repeatedly leading up to the vote to make sure democrat voters don’t become complacent.

Hopefully people just get out to vote. Midterms are usually low due to turn out and low voter turn out favors the republicans. The GOP is trying their damnedest to suppress voting and minimize damage. Hopefully the blue wave does show up.

But I'll agree with Matt on this, the Senate isn't going to flip.

Exactly. This (in multiple states), and gerrymandering, are the true voter fraud going on in this country. I too hope the blue wave comes, cause this sh!# show circus has got to come to an end.

It all depends on voter turn out. Nothing else.

Has anyone else here voted yet? You guys should get on that if you haven't.

LOL we only have one day for voting here.

I'm expecting the worst but holding out for the best. In the age of Trump, anything goes. I've resigned myself to believe he and his party are going to get away with everything and then some.

Do you have vote by mail option or do you have to go somewhere? I personally went to a voting booth and there wasn't a line because it was so early. That made it very pleasant and the experience I recommend if you can't vote by mail.

Not yet, still a few days before.

Never vote by mail.

Well I fully expect the Democrats to mess up any lead they got...

As we stated before, I believe the Senate is where it's at. The Republicans are very much going to lose the house, but the Senate? Now that's the one to watch.

Already voted using the mail.

It’s not surprising that it may end up being harder for Democrats to take over like they were planning. If anything, the whole situation with Justice Kavanaugh galvanized conservatives to include many of the Never Trumpers. With #impeachkavanaugh trending within minutes of his confirmation, that just told conservatives that sitting home is not an option this year.

Just waiting for PR to become a state any day now. Voting every 2 years?

Why not?

Well that's understandable. I mean, who wouldn't want to vote GOP? They have so many great policies.

I don't vote for a couple more days.

I don't do mail because my mailman always screws up.

Don´t trust it All kinds of things can happen both before and after.

Going to the polls is the best way to make sure your vote is counted.

@Jacanuk: Hey look! You and I agree on something.

i guess it depends on how many voters can be disenfranchised before the election.

100% what this entire election is about.

"Runs to the window" Hmm, the world is not burning :)

@Master_Live: That's good to hear.