This was the worst week for Democrats since Donald Trump’s election-night shocker of 2016. In less than 200 hours, Democrats botched Iowa, saw Trump hit an all-time popularity high, debated ousting the DNC chair, and watched a socialist soar and an ideological civil war intensify
Axios' Margaret Talev reports from New Hampshire that amid real enthusiasm at candidate rallies, there's an underlying unease about unifying the party enough to get the kind of turnout needed to win in November.
What we're hearing: There's a new fatalism in my conversations with Democrats, with many telling me that what once seemed unthinkable — Trump's re-election in November — is now starting to look more likely than ever.
In a CNN segment this morning that included Friday's rosy economic statistics, a graphic asked: "IS TRUMP'S RE-ELECTION PATH WIDENING?"
Here's why Dems are apoplectic about the terrain:
In the Gallup poll this week that put Trump at 49% approval, a record for his presidency, just 1% had no opinion — leaving few persuadables.
In the Gallup poll this week that put Trump at 49% approval, a record for his presidency, just 1% had no opinion — leaving few persuadables.
Whoever is ultimately nominated will start in a tremendous hole against a Trump campaign has been relentlessly organized and optimized over the past three years. Axios' Sara Fischer has documented how the Trump campaign is mastering Facebook and Google ads.
The constant Trump rallies serve as an ongoing dry run for Election Day, with eye-popping metrics.
What's next: Recriminations over the botched count of the Iowa caucuses are continuing into a second week.
What's next: Recriminations over the botched count of the Iowa caucuses are continuing into a second week.
Rep. James Clyburn, the highest-ranking African American in the House, told C-SPAN :
"There are some serious discussions taking place here on Capitol Hill as to what ought to happen at the DNC."
Asked whether DNC chair Tom Perez must go, Clyburn said: "That's a decision for him."
"There are some serious discussions taking place here on Capitol Hill as to what ought to happen at the DNC."
Asked whether DNC chair Tom Perez must go, Clyburn said: "That's a decision for him."
Changing tides:
WashPost, Oct. 28: "'It feels like a horror movie': Republicans feel anxious and adrift defending Trump," by Robert Costa and Phil Rucker.
WashPost, yesterday: "'Tempted to despair': Trump’s resilience causes Democrats to sound the alarm," by Costa and Rucker.
WashPost, Oct. 28: "'It feels like a horror movie': Republicans feel anxious and adrift defending Trump," by Robert Costa and Phil Rucker.
WashPost, yesterday: "'Tempted to despair': Trump’s resilience causes Democrats to sound the alarm," by Costa and Rucker.
