Mike Johnson calls Gabe Evans "that good"

Why it matters: Johnson's Colorado cameo underscores how much Republicans are counting on Evans to hold onto Colorado's fiercely competitive 8th District seat — and help save their House majority.

Yes, but: With President Trump's approval ratings sinking and Democrats gaining ground nationally, Evans faces a tough fight.

The intrigue: Johnson is brushing off the polls suggesting trouble ahead for his party.

• He told us he's "not putting any stock anymore in the national polls," adding, "They're unreliable."
• He insisted Republicans can still win tight races, citing Trump's return to the campaign trail: "It looks like 2024 to us."

Reality check: The numbers paint a bleaker picture.

• Democrats lead by as many as 10 points in national polling, while Trump's approval ratings have sunk to record lows in some surveys.
• Meanwhile, Latino voters — a key voting bloc in Evans' district — have also soured on Trump, a poll released last month shows.

The latest: Trump urged Coloradans to vote for Evans and other Republican lawmakers in a Thursday post on X: "These Great Patriots have my Complete and Total Endorsement."

What they're saying: "When you vote for Gabe Evans, you will know you did the right thing in Colorado," Johnson says.

• The House speaker repeatedly called Evans' Democratic opponent Manny Rutinel "crazy."

The other side: "What's crazy is Gabe Evans voting 100% of the time with Donald Trump," Alex Terr, spokesperson for Manny for Colorado, said in a statement.

• Terr pointed to Evans' support for Trump's "chaotic tariffs, forever wars, and health care cuts that are raising costs and giving tax breaks to his billionaire donors."

The bottom line: The midterms could be a bloodbath for Republicans.

• A brief visit from a top party figure may signal support, but it also signals the lengths Republicans must go to retain support.