By Dave Andrusko
If you want to know how pro-abortion Democrats read the lay of the political landscape, don’t read their fundraisers, read the work of what amounts to their in-house publicists, the major media, particularly the Washington Post.
To state the obvious, the Post loathes President Trump and has done everything in its considerable powers to elect Hillary Clinton and, having failed at that, to destabilize the Trump administration. It is nothing short of a peaceful attempt at a coup d’état.
So, what to say after months and months and months of stories that asserted Democratic supporters are on fire and Republicans nearly despondent, and then President Trump’s approval numbers are steadily rising and Republicans are producing strong pro-life senatorial candidates to challenge pro-abortion incumbent Democrats?
Here’s the headline for a story in the Post today written by Sean Sullivan and Seung Min Kim : “Trump’s improved standing, energized GOP voters worry Democrats.”
The Post and kindred pro-abortion media outlets hung their hats largely on two things. First, data that suggested Democrats were much more motivated than Republicans to vote November 6; second, a large advantage in the “generic ballot”—the party people say they favor without attaching any individual names to the preference question.
I knew a recent CNN poll which concluded that the massive1 6 point advantage Democrats enjoyed in the generic ballot in February had shrunk to three points (aka within the margin of error) would discombobulate the Post. But I underestimated the panic.
And then last week Republicans chose strong pro-life senatorial candidates in primaries held in Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Add to that a couple of states where incumbent Democrats were suddenly seen as more vulnerable and turning the House becomes more important than ever for Democrats.
However, as Sullivan and Seung Min Kim note
Democratic worries are mounting in the House, as well, where the party has been more confident of gaining the 23 seats it needs to retake the majority. Democrats are picking strong candidates in dozens of Republican-held suburban districts where Trump has lost significant support — but recent surveys suggest the races may be tightening.
The key, besides good candidates and good campaigns, is the President. Not so long ago the Post and Democrats (which are identical) gloated that President Trump’s dismal approval numbers would sink Republicans. Now, suddenly, we read
Democratic senators have focused on issues like health care, veterans and local matters rather than the national parties or culture wars. They are wagering that they don’t need to stoke the anti-Trump sentiment that is prevalent among base voters; they need to convince Republicans that it is okay to cross over.
There will be ebbs and flow, of course. We know there are 176 days until the mid-term elections, and much can, and will, change.
But that doesn’t change the fundamental point. Pro-abortion Democrats, once brimming over with confidence, are beginning to worry seriously.