A journalist and historian warned Saturday that Republicans have a "fear that places them in a terrible tightening vise" — as they're poised to pay the "butcher's bill" for President Donald Trump's decisions.
Sidney Blumenthal, whose career includes political journalism and senior adviser to President Bill Clinton, wrote for The Guardian that Republicans have largely allowed the president to avoid accountability — and that's going to cost them.
"The Republicans in Congress now have another fear that places them in a terrible tightening vise. They have allowed Trump to avoid accountability and in next year’s midterms – of which these elections are an augury – they will be held mercilessly to account in his stead. Trump is the cause for which they will suffer the effect. He will not be on the ballot. Only they will pay the butcher’s bill," warned Blumenthal.
To boot, he said the GOP's hands are tied. By giving the president free rein to do as he pleases, regardless of how popular, they've damaged their relationships with their own voters. This is never more evident, he said, than at GOP town halls, or lack thereof.
"Through their abject obedience to him they have permitted Trump to sever their organic connection to their voters. None dare venture any longer to town halls in their districts. They cower before their constituents’ wrath over Trump."
The numbers may spell out why. A Marist-NPR poll this week reverberated through political circles, showing Democrats with a massive 14-point advantage. A university poll similarly found an 11-point advantage, Blumenthal noted. Contrast that to 2018, when Democrats held a lead of about 8 points — and gained a whopping 40 seats.
"The latest numbers might project roughly 60 seats. The supposedly dead Democrats would easily carry a large majority. With those margins, they would also likely take the Senate," he noted.