The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Ronald Eustice
A blue wave may be cresting. Democrats flipped 28 Republican-held seats in state legislatures over the past 14 months, a sign that the GOP is at risk of losing control of the House, and maybe even the Senate. Some Democratic wins came in deep red states, including Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi, often by margins that make Republican leaders uneasy.
While Trump is not on the ballot, his policies are. His popularity has hit record-lows in multiple polls. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump’s approval declined from 60% disapproval and 39% approval in early March, to 62% disapproval and 36% approval in late March. Rasmussen polling shows Trump with 55% disapproval. While Trump’s tariffs and immigration policy are widely unpopular, his demeanor is his biggest downfall.
Republicans are blamed for high prices because they’re in charge. An unpopular war is raging in the Middle East; gasoline and fertilizer prices have skyrocketed. Chaos is constant.
Midterm math favors Democrats. Historically the party out of power (Democrats) picks up seats in the immediate election after a presidential candidate of the opposing party is elected. So how can Democrats miss an opportunity to flip both houses of Congress?
Yvonne Davis (Regent’s Cup competitor let her voice be heard-Opinion March 29) writes, “Protecting free speech and civil discourse is more important today than it has ever been.” She says civil discourse requires more than freedom to speak; it requires the willingness to listen respectfully. "When discourse breaks down, disagreement turns into division and conversations, and public debate becomes an endless cycle of 'us versus them.' When we truly have civil discourse in our society, we are better equipped to find solutions to mutual problems rather than peddle in derogatory statements or animosity toward critics."
Susquehanna Polling & Research’s (SP&R) most recent nationwide survey of likely voters conducted just before New Years, showed only 38% approved of the job Trump is doing (56% disapprove). The telephone survey was conducted 12/9 to 12/17 with a sample size of 1,200 likely voters. What is striking is that in this same survey, 49% of Americans said they voted for Trump in 2024 election — consistent with his share of the national popular vote against Kamala Harris — yet only 38% approve of him now. This suggests buyer’s remorse for a significant number of Trump voters.
A look under the hood shows Trump’s engine is leaking. CNN exit polling conducted after the 2024 POTUS election showed Trump received 46% of the vote among independents. Yet in the latest SP&R national survey, only 28% of independents approve of the job Trump is doing.
Perhaps an even more telling sign that congressional Republicans could be in trouble is that in a separate question asked in the SP&R national survey, 58% of Americans said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate for Congress who “will be a check and balance on Trump and his powers,” while only 36% prefer a candidate who “will be a strong partner with Trump and help pass his agenda.” This signals an opportunity for Democrats to pick up seats if they play their cards right.
Americans are almost evenly split: 46% identify with or lean toward the Republican Party, and 45% identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party. The “leaners,” the undecided and disgruntled Trump voters can determine the future direction of the country.
Words matter: Americans are ready for change. Republicans and Democrats are quick to insult those who voted differently. Democrats say to Trump voters, “How could you vote for a convicted felon who lies, cheats, and assaults and demeans women; how was the Kool-Aid buddy?” Cutting off friends and family who voted differently is foolhardy and shortsighted. Yesterday’s Trump voters could help elect the checks and balances most voters say they want.
As Yvonne Davis wrote, “When ideas are shared responsibly (and respectfully) and opposing ideas are given space to be heard, understanding and empathy endure.” So, my advice to Democrats is, the Trump voter you call “dumb as a rock” may be the friend who can help bring sanity back to Washington.
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