White House acknowledges polls shifting to GOP but holds onto hope [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Administration officials acknowledged that the recent polls have been shifting toward Republicans but held fast to hope.
• Officials noted that Democrats can still win seats in key states.
• The White House has started to make preparations in the event that Republicans take back control of Congress.

Administration officials said that optimism about the midterms has lowered in the White House, which is now making preparations in the event that Republicans take back control of Congress.

Democrats had a positive outlook this summer as they led comfortably in the polls and banked on voters counting on them to protect democracy, abortion, and gun safety. But recent numbers showed Republicans gaining ground amid persistently high inflation.

In May, President Joe Biden predicted that Democrats would win seats in both the House and Senate. Last week, however, he acknowledged that the polls have started swinging “all over the place.” Still, he hopes that the polls would make a final swing toward Democrats before Nov. 8.

Republican messaging on crime and inflation painted Democrats as being soft on crime and careless about spending. This has undermined Biden’s warning that the Republicans’ extremist “MAGA” wing threatens voters’ rights and freedoms.

Republican-led states have just as high or even higher murder rates than Democrat-led states, but an Ipsos poll still showed voters preferring Republicans to solve crime issues over Democrats.

Administration officials acknowledged the shift but held fast to hope. They noted that while midterms historically do not favor the sitting president’s party, Democrats could still win in states with the tightest races.

A White House official noted “a surge in women registering to vote in several battleground states,” while a second official said that abortion will still play “a key role” in swing districts.

A Biden adviser added that the administration is still optimistic about “keeping both chambers,” so they are “doing all they can to capitalize on how much Republicans are playing into our hands – including by saying their top priority is to worsen inflation with a tax giveaway to the wealthy.”

Biden will have a tough two years if Democrats lose control of one or both chambers of Congress. Republicans are expected to block legislation on abortion, policing reform, family leave, and other Biden priorities. The GOP is also expected to push new laws that curtail spending and immigration, leveraging the debt ceiling.

Officials are also expecting Republicans to investigate Democrats’ spending and Hunter Biden’s business dealings. Some lawmakers have even called for the impeachment of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, or other cabinet members.

The White House has started to prepare for any obstruction or calls for an investigation, including hiring white-collar defense lawyer Richard Sauber as special counsel earlier this year.

Source: Reuters