Republicans – Latest News and Analysis – Page 24 | Straight Arrow News

Straight Arrow News

Unbiased. Straight Facts.^TM

Congress still in the balance after closer-than-expected midterms

November 9, 2022

The red wave some had projected for the 2022 midterms does not appear to have come to fruition, with neither party taking control of either house of Congress early Wednesday morning. As of 5:30 a.m., the Senate was split at 48 a piece, and Republicans held a 199-172 lead in the House. While the GOP House lead is significant, it’s also well short of the 218 needed to take control.

As for the Senate, Republicans went into Tuesday night only needing a net gain of one Senate seat to take over the majority in a 50-50 Senate. However, the only Senate seat to flip as of early Wednesday morning was for Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, who narrowly defeated Republican Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz. Fetterman will now take over the seat vacated by GOP Sen. Pat Toomey.

“I never expected that we were going to turn these red counties blue,” Fetterman said early Wednesday morning. “But we did what we needed to do, and we had that conversation across every one of those counties.”

Fetterman’s win means Republicans now need to flip two Senate seats in order to take control of the upper chamber following the midterms. Those two flips need to happen in Arizona, Nevada or Georgia.

While the western states were still counting votes as of early Wednesday morning, it appeared the Georgia Senate race between Democratic incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker was headed for a runoff election in December. Sen. Warnock has a lead of less than on point as of early Wednesday morning, and neither candidate had reached the 50% threshold needed to win outright.

Despite the midterms being closer than expected, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy predicted that when it comes to the House, “when you wake up tomorrow, we will be in the majority and Nancy Pelosi will be in the minority.”

“We are on the verge of historic gains in New York. In Florida, we gained four seats alone, but we are poised to sweep the entire state of Iowa,” Rep. McCarthy said early Wednesday morning. “And I will tell you, from the southern border of Monica de la Cruz to Virginia Beach of Jen Kiggans to Detroit with John James and to Houston with Wesley Hunt, we are expanding this party.”
GOP Rep. Bacon holds on to seat in Nebraska’s 2nd District

November 9, 2022

Republican Congressman Don Bacon has secured his seat for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, beating out Democratic opponent Tony Vargas. Experts say it really came down to who showed up at the polls.

Bacon represents what’s arguably one of the most evenly split districts in the country.

“I think it generally supports more conservative policies,” Bacon told Straight Arrow News. “But also, it wants when you win an election, you shake hands, and you’ve tried to work across the aisle to get things done.”

Bacon said finding ways to compromise and work with political opponents was vital to his success. Out of the 405,000 registered voters in the 2nd District, 38% are Republican, 36% are Democrat and the remaining 26% are either non-partisan or fall into other parties.

Nebraska has five electoral votes, but is one of the rare states that splits those votes.

According to Bacon, “what’s going on” is the Biden administration should bear the blame for inflation in the U.S. economy.

“People could connect the dots: high inflation due to reckless spending, leading to higher interest rates to slow the economy down, which leads to a recession, which then hits the stock market, people can connect these dots,” Bacon said. “And you know, they’re smart, and they see what’s going on here.”
Navarrette: Democratic Party has ‘forgotten’ how to talk to Latino voters

November 9, 2022

Experts have said over and over again that Latinos are not a monolith. That’s particularly clear in states like Florida, Nevada and Arizona. We’re currently waiting for results in those last two states, where Latinos have been seriously courted in recent weeks.

“Latino voters are nothing if not assimilate into the mainstream. They care about what other kinds of issues other people care about as well,” columnist Ruben Navarrette said.

He told Straight Arrow News that the Democratic Party has forgotten how to speak to Latino voters and that they’ve taken them for granted.

“They forgot how to listen to us. And they created an opportunity for Republicans now going forward. What will be interesting to watch is can the Republicans keep this level of support? I’m not sure they can, because it just sort of fell into their lap and they don’t quite know what to do with it,” Navarrette said.

“The Democratic Party doesn’t give us credit for or respect us for our complexities, for the fact that we are likely to see issues differently depending on where we live or what generation we belong to. They just see us as baptized Catholic and Democrat, and they expect us to stay that way. That’s not happening,” Navarrette added.

He believes that there is a risk that the monolith conversation could go too far on both sides of the aisle.

“I think that the parties typically are run by the same people. I think there are a bunch of Ivy Leaguers who typically don’t know much about Latinos, they don’t have much exposure to Latinos, they work within a black and white paradigm. Whether you’re got a D after name or an R after name, neither party has done right by Latinos,” Navarrette said.
Barr: Republicans should focus on ‘substance, not politics’ if they win power

November 8, 2022

While neither the House nor the Senate had been called for either party as of midnight EST Wednesday, Republicans went into election night projected by many to take at least one from Democratic control. Republicans have already previewed a potential mass probe into the FBI and Justice Department should they win power of Congress. However, former Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., told Straight Arrow News he hopes Republicans “look forward and not backwards.”

“I don’t want to see the Republicans launch their own investigation of Jan. 6, which some are talking about,” former Rep. Barr said. “There is an awful lot that Republicans with majorities in the Congress can do, not withstanding a Democrat president, but it takes a lot of hard work and commitment to substance, not politics.”

Barr dismissed other potential investigations, like the ones into Hunter Biden and America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, he did appear to support the potential FBI probe.

“Frankly, I think that Hunter Biden has been so disgraced. It’s not worth even worrying about the guy anymore,” Barr said. “If the Republicans focus just on Afghanistan, they’re missing the bigger picture. There are some very serious problems with our military that manifested themselves in Afghanistan, but extend far beyond that, in terms of chain of command and the so-called woke policies being pursued by our military, which is hurting our readiness. If they focus on the bigger picture, also with the FBI, instead of focusing just on personalities, or on the past with the FBI, but focus on restructuring the FBI, so it is an accountable law enforcement agency like it used to be, then I would commend them.”

Even if Republicans were to win power of one or both houses of Congress, they would still have challenges to getting policy across the line. According to Barr, the main challenge is obvious.

“They have to be able to work with Biden, as difficult as that might be,” Barr said. “The Republicans have to be able to put together a solid budget beginning next year, and push it through, it may take three, four, five, six iterations of that, but eventually Biden will have to sign it if the Republicans stick to their guns.”
Shrum: 2022 Midterms ‘better than expected’ for Democrats

November 8, 2022

As results come in, the House is still projected to likely go to Republicans and the Senate remains a toss-up. But one political insider said the Democrats have done better than expected.

“This is the best performance for an incumbent president’s party in a midterm election since 2002. This is not a red wave, it’s not a red tsunami, it’s a red wavelet, or a red ripple,” said Bob Shrum, Democratic strategist and director of the USC Center for the Political Future.

“Republicans are, in my view, going to take the House, but they’re not going to pick up 35 or 45 seats, they’re going to take it by a much more modest margin than that,” Shrum added.

He said holding onto the Senate would be a big victory.

“Even if Democrats lost the Senate by one vote, lost the House by 20 seats or 23 seats, that would be a very unusual performance, given the averages that we’ve seen over the years,” Shrum said.

In the last few weeks, Democrats’ messaging has centered around the economy. Shrum said Biden can’t solve the problem alone, but being purely defensive about the situation won’t get him anywhere.

“Well, you’ve got two more years now before the next election. And I think this inflation is beginning to obey, we’ll see if the economy continues to perform strongly in terms of jobs. So that story has yet to be written,” Shrum said.
Quelch: Democrats ‘failed’ to understand voters’ top issue, economy

November 8, 2022

The economy is top of mind for American voters heading into the 2022 midterm elections. Prices keep going up while stock market indexes have gone south all year, and now, major companies are gearing up for large-scale layoffs.

It’s a bad look for the party in power, Democrats, as Republicans hope the economy will be a winning issue for them to take control of Congress.

“If the Republicans are able to take control of both the Senate and the House, I think we can basically see an end to further Democratic-initiated spending programs, spending will definitely be reined in. And any attempts that further regulation that would impose a break on business activity is likely to be blocked as well,” said John Quelch, dean of the University of Miami Herbert Business School.

He told Straight Arrow News that Democrats failed with overspending and the so-called Inflation Reduction Act.

“With respect to the Cares Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the initial proposals in terms of the spending levels from Democrats were much higher than in the end, were approved,” Quelch said.

Quelch also said that what keeps America in the number one position in terms of global economy is its sheer will to innovate and engage in entrepreneurial activity, regardless of who happens to be in power in Washington.

“I always like to emphasize the entrepreneurial spirit and the innovative capacity of the American economy. And there is opportunity, there is a silver lining in every downturn in every recession,” Quelch said.
Former Rep. Kucinich: Inflation ‘slapping’ Ohio voters in the face

November 7, 2022

Ohio was once one of the most important states on Election Day, attracting national attention and seen as a swing state. But in the last two presidential elections, former President Donald Trump easily won the state over Hilary Clinton and President Joe Biden.

Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman is now giving Democrats an opening to pick up a Senate seat. Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan and author and Venture Capitalist J.D. Vance, R, have been locked in a contentious campaign for months, with polling turning in favor of Vance in recent weeks.

“I think you’re going to see a punishment, a continuing punishment, exacted on upon the Democrats on trade issues,” former Ohio Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich told Straight Arrow News. According to Kucinich, Ohio may no longer be a swing state after Tuesday, considering the impact inflation is having on voters.

“I think you have to consider that to a state like Ohio, where steel, automotive, aerospace, shipping helped to build America’s strategic industrial base has seen a lot of that slip away,” he said. “I have a very bad feeling about policies which have put us in this predicament.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, the longest-serving woman in Congress, is facing a challenge from Donald Trump loyalist J.R. Majewski.

“She’s a household word in northwestern Ohio, for sure,” Kucinich said, adding, “If the Republican turnout is strong on Election Day, you could see that race becoming very tight.”

Majewski had been keeping the race tight, but House Republicans pulled advertising for the candidate after an Associated Press Report raised questions over his claims about his military service.

Kaptur defeated Kucinich in a Democratic primary in 2012, when the two long-serving representatives faced off due to redistricting.

“Congressional redistricting is a very political thing. It always has been, and frankly, it always will be,” Kucinich said. “I know a little bit about redistricting, because my district, 10 years ago, was chopped up into four or five pieces. And as a result, it was almost impossible for me to win. But in my case, it wasn’t done by the Republicans. It was done by the state Democrats. Hopefully, you know, in my estimation, Representative Kaptur survives. And I think that will leave Ohio with a total of three Democratic representatives by the time the night is over, with Republicans having 12.”

Kucinich says inflation is the top issue facing Ohioans this election season.

“People remember that because every time you go to the store or you go to buy gas, it hits you in the face again,” Kucinich said. “The Democrats are going to pay a price for that.”
Rep. Dusty Johnson weighs in on historic midterm election spending

November 7, 2022

The 2022 election is expected to be the most expensive midterm election in history for state and federal races, according to OpenSecrets. The nonpartisan group projects spending will surpass $16.7 billion by Election Day.

Federal candidates and outside groups are expected to spend $8.9 billion, well beyond the inflation-adjusted $7.1 billion spent in 2018. State candidates, party committees, and groups supporting ballot measures are on track to raise $7.8 billion, outpacing the inflation-adjusted $6.6 billion raised in 2018.

“I hate the campaigns as much as anybody does. But I think if we’re going to have these robust elections in swing states, they’re going to be expensive,” South Dakota Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson told Straight Arrow News. The lawmaker noted that politicians spending trillions of dollars in D.C. may not be fiscally responsible, but it’s necessary.

“When you’ve got these high-profile Senate seats like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona, Georgia, it’s hard to tell the candidates, gosh, even if somebody wants to give you 100 bucks, ‘Don’t spend it on radio ads,’” Johnson said.

Spending has picked up as Republicans and Democrats have battled on the issues of the economy and abortion. Johnson said he predicts a variety of different solutions brought forth at the state level.

“Politics is not a spectator sport. And I think you’re seeing across this country, that people are really fed up with inflation,” Johnson said. “They’re fed up with a border that allows 2 million people to illegally cross that border every single year. And frankly, they don’t like the violent crime is on the rise in cities. And those sort of highly emotional issues are driving up motivation.”
Former Speaker Gingrich: GOP will gain 20-50 House seats, 2-5 Senate seats

November 7, 2022

The party of the president has traditionally endured significant losses in midterm elections. Since 1946, the only time the party controlling the White House gained seats was in 2002, when Republicans added eight representatives under President George W. Bush.

If that trend continues following Tuesday’s election, current House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will become the next speaker of the House, taking the gavel from Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and President Joe Biden’s party.

“The Democrats are governed so badly,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Straight Arrow News. He added that Republicans are smart to focus on crime and inflation this election cycle.

“You look at people who go shopping for food, people who go fill up their tank with gasoline, people who watch the evening news and see all the crime…all these things come together and then you have the issue of radicalism in schools,” he continued.

Gingrich added that, if all goes well for his party, Republicans will pick up 20-50 seats in the House election. Meanwhile, he expects his party to take two to five seats in the Senate.

“Washington is a very tough state for Republicans,” Gingrich said. “Right now, I think they’re ahead, and they are going to keep all the Republican seats including Pennsylvania. But I think that probably the fifth seat is Washington state with Tiffany Smiley.”

Many Democratic candidates held healthy leads in polling at the end of the summer. But in the final weeks of campaigning, Republicans have been able to close that gap. Gingrich said the conservative momentum proves Americans want change.

“In the off-year elections, whether it’s the first term or the second term, are an opportunity for the American people to express themselves,” he continued. “And the people who are unhappy, have a much higher pressure to go vote to the people who are happy.”
School choice advocates spend millions on Republicans in Texas

November 7, 2022

Groups committed to giving parents the option of sending their children to private schools using taxpayer dollars — sometimes known as “school choice” or “vouchers” — have given millions of dollars to Republican candidates in Texas this year. Political observers said as a result, public school funding is effectively on the ballot in the state during Tuesday’s elections.

The push for private school vouchers has been funded in large part by Defend Texas Liberty, a Christian nationalist-aligned political action committee led by a former far-right Republican state lawmaker and bankrolled by a pair of West Texas billionaires. According to an NBC News analysis of Texas Ethics Commission campaign finance reports and data compiled by the nonprofit OpenSecrets, the PAC has spent nearly $10 million this year, largely backing Republican candidates who support school choice and attacking those who oppose it.

“These groups have been demonizing what is being taught in public schools, and that’s the fastest way to erode faith that public schools work,” Brandon Rottinghaus, a political scientist at the University of Houston, said. “Whether it’s true or not is irrelevant. If people believe that it’s true, then it’s politically potent.”

Defend Texas Liberty gave $3.6 million to former state lawmaker Don Huffines, who ran against Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, in the Texas Republican gubernatorial primary. Huffines promised to crack down on medical care for transgender children, require the teaching of creationism in public schools and give parents government money to send their children to private schools.

The PAC also spent $168,000 supporting Republican Nate Schatzline, a former pastor running for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Schatzline won a competitive GOP primary in a solidly conservative North Texas district in part by painting his Republican opponent as an advocate for teaching “leftist, woke ideologies” in schools.

Gov. Greg Abbott recently pledged to make school choice a priority in the next legislative session if he wins re-election over Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke. This fall, Defend Texas Liberty spent $100,000 to put up dozens of billboards along Texas highways, including some that showed a photo of O’Rourke next to a baseless allegation about “grooming” children, an anti-LGBTQ attack that’s become popular among conservatives this year.

“Abbott is now calling to defund public education with his voucher program that takes tax dollars out of public school classrooms across the state and sends them away to private schools,” Tori Larned, a spokesperson for O’Rourke’s campaign, said.

Demo mode ×