Republicans sound the alarm after likely loss in Pennsylvania

[workinclasszero]

Republicans sound the alarm after likely loss in Pennsylvania
One GOP leader called the outcome a ‘wake-up call,’ but rank-and-file lawmakers were largely in denial.
By RACHAEL BADE and ALEX ISENSTADT 03/14/2018 10:01 AM EDT Updated 03/14/2018 12:11 PM EDT

Republicans on Wednesday struggled to explain their likely loss in the Pennsylvania special election: GOP leaders warned lawmakers that the outcome in the pro-Trump district could spell disaster in the midterms if they don’t respond forcefully, but many lawmakers dismissed the race as an anomaly and seemed to be in denial.

During a closed-door conference meeting at the Capitol Hill Club, House Republican leaders said that Tuesday’s special election, where Democrat Conor Lamb is narrowly leading, could portend a monster Democratic year. They told rank-and-file members in no uncertain terms that they needed to get their campaigns in order or that they could be casualties, and they need to raise money now to protect themselves come November.

“Prepare to bear down," warned National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), who kicked off the huddle by calling the race “a wake-up call,” said one person in attendance.

But most rank-and-file going in and out of the meeting downplayed the election, suggesting Republican candidate Rick Saccone was weak and Lamb was a "unicorn" who couldn't be replicated in tight races this fall.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/14/pennsylvania-special-election-blue-wave-461726

[bearsfootball516]

1. Lol. I love this line:

"But most rank-and-file going in and out of the meeting downplayed the election, suggesting Republican candidate Rick Saccone was weak and Lamb was a "unicorn" who couldn't be replicated in tight races this fall. "


Good. Perfect. Keep assuming this is impossible to replicate, it'll make it that much easier to do in November.

[BannonsLiver]

2. Yep. They still don't get it. Good. I'm counting on that.

[rurallib]

3. I am sorry - off topic - but BannonsLiver - what a great name

[flibbitygiblets]

5. Denial. It's what's for lunch. Blue Wave is what's for dinner, motherfuckers.

Nothing to see here, just your one-off unicorn! Back to your treasoning...

[workinclasszero]

7. I agree!

The republicans need to stay in their Fox 'news', hate radio bubble. They will be told its all a fluke, there is no blue wave coming.

Yup, just stay right where you are GOP, all is well!

[smirkymonkey]

4. They still don't seem to understand the degree of damage that Trump is doing

to their party. Good. Let it last through the 2018 elections when the blue wave takes them over.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Another Thought On That

I think that with BHO actually gone, and the R voter visceral reaction to the "black guy" (or worse) the attempt at ACA repeal was actually viewed objectively by the electorate.

I think that move was FAR MORE damaging, even with the failure, than the Rs realized. Now that it was no longer "Obamacare" but ACA, a lot of their voters were saying "wait, what?"

The hard right base still doesn't care because, they aren't smart enough, still can't get over the "black guy" or they're insured through work. But, lots of R leaning voters might be thinking "What the heck are you doing?" and are prepared to change their leanings because they're now angry.

[smirkymonkey]

14. You are right, but even those people didn't think this through very carefully.

I never understood why any middle class or working class person would consciously vote for someone who was hell bent on taking away their health-care (and SS). It has always just seemed so self-destructive to me. I guess some people are waking up, finally.

[YessirAtsaFact]

8. Theyre in a double bind

If they don’t support OrangeTurd, they get a primary challenger, but maybe they do better in the general election.

Problem is that they have to win the primary first.

If they do support OrangeTurd, they are less likely to face a primary challenge, but the Democrats in their district are more motivated. Catch 22.

It makes me smile.

Last I saw my congressWhore, Dave Brat, in a district that’s been Republican for at least 20 years is 8 points behind a generic democratic challenger.

[workinclasszero]

10. It's great isn't it?

The Grand Ole Perv party is screwed whichever way it goes! Yippee!

[YessirAtsaFact]

13. Its a beautiful thing

It looks like they have lost a big chunk of the educated suburban voters, especially women.

It showed up last fall here in VA and in Allegheny County PA last night.

They won’t win many statewide elections without them.

[world wide wally]

9. Here is what Republicans should run on in 2018:

*Tax cuts for the wealthiest
*Pro NRA all the way!
*Build a wall on EVERY border and coastline
*Drilling everywhere
and of course...
*Trump family vlaues

[workinclasszero]

12. With Fuhrer Bone Spurs at the helm

That's exactly how the the f***ing idiots will run!

[jes06c]

11. Sadly more losses like this may be what it takes for the Republican Party to finally rebuke Trump

Up until now they've stuck with him through all the sexism, all the racism, all the incompetence, all the buffoonery, and they never really cared. All they cared about was he got them the White House.

But now if they keep losing races like this, they may finally try to distance themselves from him. And if they really think they can pull that off then we have to make each and every Republican OWN him. I think the theme for November should be there's no such thing as an anti-Trimp Republican

[dalton99a]

15. They should invite Trump more often

And his idiot kids