Republicans can’t just commie-punch their way to victory

Republicans need to make some noise. It’s not enough to gloat over the rise of what many in the Republican Party consider the loony left. Rather, Republicans must convince voters they deserve to keep the majority in the House and the Senate. And currently, their message is thin.

Republicans are practically salivating over the nomination of Abdul El-Sayed, an anti-Israel Muslim extremist, to run for the seat held by the retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). El-Sayed’s victory improves their chances hopes of flipping the blue seat red in November. Former House Intelligence Chairman Mike Rogers (R), a well-respected businessman, will face off against El-Sayed; in head-to-head polling, the Republican just barely leads.

But the Socialists convulsing the Democratic Party are not only chalking up wins in deep blue territories. They are also making inroads in a country which, having taken too much for granted, has grown less enthusiastic about capitalism and less supportive of our long-time ally Israel.

Republicans have taken to calling opponents “communists,” aware that the “socialist” label no longer destroys a candidate’s chances. And that is especially true among young people; according to polling by the CATO Institute, nearly two-thirds of Americans ages 18 to 29 have a favorable view of socialism. That is who voted for El-Sayed. Polling indicates that some 80 percent of young people favored the Leftist former health official over the establishment-backed Haley Stevens. El-Sayed ran especially well in college towns; surveys show that it is mainly white liberals with college and graduate degrees who are hearing the siren call of the socialist left.

Democrats’ advantage in the generic ballot, now at 7 points according to the Real Clear Polling averages, is slightly lower than it was a few months ago, which might indicate a repudiation of the slide towards collectivism. But other surveys, like those from CNN and Marquette, show voters........

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