The Powers That Be: Daily The G.O.P.’s Midterm Blues
Dec 4, 2025
Leigh Ann Caldwell, a political reporter known for her insider insights on Capitol Hill, shares her analysis of the GOP's struggles as they prepare for the midterms. She highlights the party's concerns after recent Democratic victories and the impact of Trump's dwindling approval ratings. Caldwell dives into the complexities of redistricting challenges and the blame game among GOP members. The discussion includes the difficulties in crafting effective messaging around affordability and the dynamics of courting Trump's base for key primary elections.
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Republican Panic And Finger-Pointing
- Republicans are panicking after a string of poor results, redistricting setbacks, and rising retirements that threaten their House majority.
- Leigh Ann Caldwell says finger-pointing targets White House staff while members avoid blaming Donald Trump directly.
Tennessee Special Election Details
- The Tennessee special election showed a Democrat overperformed by 13 points versus 2024 but still lost in a Trump +22 district.
- Leigh Ann Caldwell notes the Democrat was vulnerable due to past progressive cultural comments that Republicans exploited in ads.
Redistricting Backfires For Republicans
- Redistricting outcomes have disappointed Republicans in multiple states, costing expected pickup seats and forcing incumbents into tougher districts.
- Caldwell says this dynamic increases retirements and wastes money that could've supported incumbents' reelection bids.