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Trump Promises GOP 'Bigger Majorities' 03/26 06:34
President Donald Trump predicted Wednesday that his party will have larger
congressional majorities after November's midterm elections, even as political
warning signs that have privately worried some Republicans for months are
starting to flash red.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump predicted Wednesday that his party
will have larger congressional majorities after November's midterm elections,
even as political warning signs that have privately worried some Republicans
for months are starting to flash red.
While Trump said the U.S. "is winning so big" in the war in Iran, it is
keeping gas prices high, travelers are facing unprecedented airport security
wait times and Americans remain concerned about steep costs of living.
The latest sign of trouble came this week from Trump's own backyard as
Democrat Emily Gregory won a Florida special election to flip a state
legislative district that encompasses his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.
Against that backdrop, Trump worked to rally the GOP on Wednesday night when
he addressed the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual
fundraising dinner at Washington's Union Station.
Before Trump even began speaking, House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled that
the party is going to rise or fall with Trump in November, even presenting him
with what he called "the very first America First award."
Trump acknowledged the long odds, repeatedly noting that incumbent
presidents almost always lose seats in Congress during the midterms, "even if
it's a successful presidency." Still, he brushed off concerns, saying he would
campaign for every Republican candidate.
"From now until November, we're going to fight," he said. "We'll have bigger
majorities in the House and Senate than we do today."
The gathering comes as polling shows most Americans believe the U.S.
military action against Iran has gone too far and voters are more and more
worried about Trump's failure to address affordability issues. That, coupled
with a weakening labor market and worries about renewed inflation, means
Republicans could face a string of glaring liabilities as they try to maintain
control of both the House and Senate.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican from Alaska, said her
constituents are asking about the path forward in Iran and whether Trump will
deploy troops there.
"There's a lot that people want to know, so whether it's how it's being
communicated in the media, or how it's being communicated here in the Congress,
I think it's lacking right now," Murkowski said.
Trump suggests the Iran effect is a mere economic blip
Trump has so far mostly responded by continuing to point to record-high
stock markets and low gas prices that evaporated after the U.S. and Israel
struck Iran on Feb. 28. He's also insisted that the current economic jolt will
be temporary, and that he can bring the conflict to a close quickly -- all of
which defy the more complicated and nuanced political and economic realities.
Gas prices were $3.12 a gallon when Democratic President Joe Biden left
office and were just under $3 before the U.S. and Israel launched the war in
Iran. Today's average is $3.98, according to motorist group AAA.
Higher prices at the pump tend to cascade through the economy, raising costs
at the grocery store, in the service sector and in most other areas -- meaning
the worst of the political fallout might come in the months closer to Election
Day.
Trump has suggested the war is worth some short-term political jitters.
"I can't say that 'Gee, I don't want to have any impact on oil prices for
three or four weeks, or two months, and we're going to let Iran have a nuclear
weapon.'"
During his speech to Republicans Wednesday night, he acknowledged the impact
on the U.S. economy but said he felt the attack was necessary. "We had to cut
out the cancer," he said. "The cancer was Iran with a nuclear weapon, and we've
cut it out."
In the meantime, about 59% of Americans say the U.S. military strikes in
Iran have been excessive, while 45% are "extremely" or "very" concerned about
being able to afford gas in the next few months. That's according to a poll
released Wednesday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs
Research.
That is up from 30% in an AP-NORC poll conducted shortly after Trump won
reelection with promises that he would improve the economy and lower the cost
of living.
Inflation is expected to rise with the jump in gas prices and longer-term
interest rates have risen, pushing up the cost of mortgage loans, auto loans
and business borrowing. That comes as employers cut 92,000 jobs last month.
Trump blamed Americans' sour opinion of the war on media coverage that
doesn't echo his claim that Iran has been militarily destroyed. Iran has
maintained its ability to strike targets in the region and effectively shut
down the Strait of Hormuz, snarling the global oil trade. Meanwhile, some of
Trump's own war objectives remain undefined or unfulfilled.
"You know, if you listen to the news, you think we're losing a war in Iran
where we're decimating the other side," Trump said.
Airports feel brunt of effects from Homeland Security funding impasse
In another political headache, the partial government shutdown has dragged
on for five weeks, lately sparking chaos at some of the nation's top airports.
The White House blames congressional Democrats who have blocked funding for
the Department of Homeland Security as they press for restrictions on enhanced
immigration enforcement operations. But efforts to broker a deal have stalled,
and his administration insists it won't back down on immigration.
"The American people are tired of the chaos. They're tired of the excuses.
And they're tired of watching Washington fail," said Rep. Mark Alford, a
Missouri Republican who was among the party's lawmakers who held a news
conference Tuesday at Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport to blame
Democrats for the shutdown.
Trump didn't directly address the status of negotiations to fund the
department but also laid the blame on Democrats for an impasse that has forced
airport security and other employees to work without paychecks: "They don't
want to settle. They want chaos."
Some Republicans urge patience
Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said voters in his Long Island-based district are
concerned about affordability and safety. But he also said the war in Iran
means "the president is right to think about America's long-term security."
On whether Iran policy will be an anchor for Republicans, LaLota encouraged
taking a wait-and-see approach leading up to November, and said any fallout
could depend whether the U.S. has stopped Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopened
the Strait of Hormuz.
"I think this could be a thing that bolster conservatives' approach to
national security," he said.
Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee,
similarly said it was too early to jump to political conclusions.
"If we're still at this stage in the war in the fall, then I'll talk to you
about that," Hudson said. "But the president says it's going to be short, so I
believe him. I think he did the right thing by doing what he did."
As for higher gas prices, Hudson said, "Voters are smart enough to know this
is a temporary increase."
Speaker Johnson he said he trusts Trump's assurances that Iran-related
economic disruptions won't last. He said Wednesday's dinner raised $37 million,
bolstering record fundraising for the House Republican campaign committee.
Trump echoed that theme, shouting out some of the GOP's top House candidates
and boasting about the money raised. He said Republicans have a "hot party."
"I think we're going to have a great election," Trump said.
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