Apr 13, 2017

Beyond the Beltway: Early warnings for GOP

The N.Y. Times' Alex Burns and Jonathan Martin have an early warning for the GOP, from their reporting in Alpharetta, Ga.: "Suburban G.O.P. Voters Sour on Party, Raising Republican Fears for 2018."

"Early missteps by President Trump and congressional leaders have weighed heavily on voters from the party's more affluent wing, anchored in right-of-center suburbs around major cities in the South and Midwest. Never beloved in these precincts, Mr. Trump appears to be struggling to maintain support from certain voters who backed him last year mainly as a way of defeating Hillary Clinton."

The takeaway: "Interviews with Republican-leaning voters in four suburban districts — in Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota and New Jersey — revealed a sour outlook on the party. These voters, mainly white professionals, say they expected far more in the way of results by now."

Why it matters: "Should Republican voters remain so demoralized — and Democrats so fired up — it could imperil dozens of congressional seats that are usually safe."

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