Republicans are in a lot of trouble. Embittered, elderly party members are abandoning their posts in droves. The number of Republicans who plan to resign this year has reached double digits. Meanwhile, President Trump is planning to start implementing the less popular parts of his agenda.
The New York Post notes that: “The party needs to flip just 24 seats to win back the House majority in November, and the incumbent president’s party has lost an average of 32 seats in every midterm election over the past 150 years.”
California’s Rep. Darrell Issa is the latest Republican to bow out of politics. Issa’s decision not to seek reelection is particularly significant because of his close ties to President Trump. A California Republican is a rare breed to begin with, and now, Issa’s seat is likely to go to a Democrat.
“Right now, Republicans need to be careful that this doesn’t turn into a tsunami of retirements,” ex-GOP Virginia Rep. Tom Davis warned. “This should be a wake-up call to leaders.”
Democrats might dominate 2018 out of pure luck. The flurry of Republican retirements is coming as liberals continue to motivate their base.
“If you were betting today, you’d bet on the Democrats to take the House. But betting 10 months before an election is a good way to lose your money,” Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics said.
California attorney and Democratic contender for Issa’s tweet Mike Levin is thrilled that Issa’s leaving politics.
“As much as I am looking forward to running one-on-one against @DarrellIssa later this year, it’s best for the residents of the 49th Congressional District that he leave sooner rather than later,” he wrote on Twitter.
(Source: New York Post)