Republicans Plunge Into Raging Blame Game Ahead of Wipeout

Evan Vucci / REUTERS Republicans are increasingly turning on one another as mounting signs of a Democratic wave ahead of the midterm elections raise fears that the GOP could lose control of both chambers of Congress.

Democrats hold an eight-point lead on the generic congressional ballot, according to the RealClearPolling average , while several House districts that President Donald Trump won by double digits in 2024 are now considered competitive.

Vulnerable seats span Ohio, Maine, Iowa, North Carolina and Nevada, as well as a Kentucky district Trump carried by 15 points.

With a Republican wipeout looming, party members are already preparing their excuses.

“If it happens, there will be plenty of blame to go around,” Rep.

Jeff Van Drew told Politico.

For an increasing number of Republicans on Capitol Hill, Trump himself is a central part of the problem.

Lawmakers have privately blamed his decision to launch an open-ended war with Iran for driving up fuel prices, according to Politico.

Trump’s approval rating has fallen into the low 30s since the war began in February.

The conflict has sent fuel costs soaring, with AAA reporting an average U.S. gasoline price of $4.30 a gallon and diesel at $6.32.

Sen.

Bernie Moreno of Ohio, widely expected to become the next chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, acknowledged that economic anger could determine the outcome of November’s elections.

“If the Democrats do win the House and the Senate, it won’t be because of their left-wing lunatic candidates, it’ll be because people are p---ed off about gas prices, and I get that,” Moreno told reporters Thursday.

Other Republicans blame Trump for sidelining established GOP figures in favor of candidates aligned with his MAGA movement.