Republican operative admits far-right leaders in states are hurting GOP across the country

Following a bruising night of defeats across the country for Republicans on abortion, regulation of schools, and other cultural issues, GOP strategist Doug Heye conceded on MSNBC that the actions of far-right politicians are generating backlash — not just in their own states, but beyond.

"Doug, does the issue of abortion for Republicans change? Does the messaging change?" asked anchor Katy Tur. "We heard again today that the governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin, came out and repeated a 15-week ban is reasonable, even though the Republicans lost both state houses in Virginia. In fact, I have that sound bite, let's play it."

"Abortion is potentially one of the most difficult topics in Virginia and around the nation," said Youngkin in the clip. "And my hope was — is, continues to be, that we can find a way to come together as Virginians and lead. I do believe that there is a place we can come together. Common ground. This is difficult. I think Virginians don't want to be extreme either direction. I think they actually want to find a place to come together, and that's what I think we tried to represent, reasonableness, and I think in the long-term, reasonableness is where people come together."

"He's continuing to say reasonable on this?" asked Tur. "He stopped himself, he almost said 'was,' and then he said 'continues to be.' Is that the right move for Republicans?"

"I think it shows how hard it is of an issue for Republicans to communicate on, and also legislate on," said Heye. "You know, we used to hear the old phrase that was coined by Tip O'Neill, all politics are local. It's now that all politics are national. Whatever Glenn Youngkin tries to do in Virginia, gets defined by what happens in South Carolina. Voters will often hear six weeks coming from South Carolina. Whenever we hear Ron DeSantis attack Gavin Newsom in California or vice versa, it demonstrates that what happens in Florida doesn't stay in Florida, what happens in California doesn't stay in California."

"That becomes very tricky for Republicans as state legislatures are legislating out loud and ultimately hurting Republican chances at the ballot box," added Heye.

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