Polls, gas prices have Democrats up and GOP down on midterms

Democrats are growing increasingly optimistic and Republicans gloomy about the midterm election outlook, as polls move against President Trump and redistricting wars between the parties look like they won’t make a huge difference in the results.

Against that backdrop, the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday forced both parties back into a familiar debate: whether a moment of political violence — and yet another assassination attempt — can still move a deeply polarized electorate. 

Democrats, while expressing sorrow over Saturday’s shooting, largely dismissed the idea of a repeat of the summer of 2024, when Trump’s defiant reaction to an attempt on his life at a rally in Butler, Pa., became the defining image of his campaign,.

They argued that Trump had already blunted some goodwill from the electorate with his response to the near-tragedy.

Rather than projecting a sustained unifying tone — something he briefly did in the hours after the attack from the White House press room, Democrats pointed to his comments about the need for a White House ballroom and his attacks on CBS journalist Norah O’Donnell, who interviewed the president over the weekend, following the tragic event. 

“Whatever goodwill Trump had, he’s already squandered it — attacking Norah O’Donnell and using the moment to pitch his new ballroom,” said Democratic strategist Anthony Coley. “Americans are focused on gas, groceries, and the cost-of-living crisis. 

“Until Trump meets them there, his approval ratings won’t change,” Coley added. 

The White House also appeared to recognize the political potential of the WHCA shooting, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt arguing Democratic rhetoric about Trump had laid the groundwork for Saturday’s frightening spectacle.

Speaking........

© The Hill