Democrats who are hopeful for a blue wave during the November midterms may be in for a rude awakening, according to one long-time pollster.
On Sunday, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Ronald Brownstein posted on X that Trump's approval rating had fallen below levels that "triggered midterm wave elections" for both Republicans and Democrats. While that data point seems like good news for Democrats, there is one big reason for the left to be concerned about the upcoming midterms, according to Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and a veteran GOP pollster.
"At some point, Dems are going to have to grapple with the reality that in the face of all of Trump and Republicans’ manifest horribleness and incompetence, people aren’t rushing toward the Democrats," Longwell posted on X. "If you think the [Democratic Socialists of America] stuff is helping, you’ve never talked to a swing voter."
Longwell's warning came at a time when some analysts have predicted Democrats will take back the House of Representatives in November, and face improving odds of flipping the Senate. However, several incumbent Democrats have lost primaries to socialist challengers, including Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), who lost to socialist candidate Melat Kiros in June.
The warning also sparked an internet firestorm among political analysts and observers.
"Trump is corrupt and responsible for a litany of policies that are making life worse for Americans. But he has been normalized by his time in office and will be seen as safer than radical leftists. And if enough independents and moderates stay home, the far right wins," Gary Kasparov, founder of Renew Democracy, posted on X.
"Why do you guys keep talking about DSA this DSA that? Outside of a few ultra-blue districts, there are barely any DSA electeds! No normal person even knows what DSA is," Jaid Jilani, author of "The American Saga" newsletter on Substack, posted on X.
"We won’t beat Republicans by outcrazying them," Jeb Fain, a political strategist who previously served at the House Majority PAC, posted on X.