Politics

US Midterms: Blame Game In The Republican Party As Many Blame Trump For Disappointing Performance

Published

2 years ago

Nov 10, 2022.

Republican sources say party members are not eager to field questions about why they underperformed in large part because of the widespread feeling within the party that former President Donald Trump hurt their chances.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Republican sources believe his late appearances on the campaign trail helped make the race a clearer contrast between the two parties, something that hurt them in swing states like Pennsylvania.

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Republicans are also privately griping that their party failed to have an effective answer on abortion amid the onslaught of attacks their candidates endured on the issue.

House and Senate GOP leaders stayed mostly behind closed doors Wednesday even though they’re on track to take back the House and could still regain the Senate.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican Leader, who traditionally holds news conferences the day after an election, opted not to have one today. He went to the Capitol but didn’t want to talk about the results when asked by reporters.

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy also was behind closed doors and didn’t hold a news conference or make himself available to reporters. He made brief remarks at 2 a.m. at his election night party but left quickly and avoided reporters.

One member who did answer some questions about their performance is Rep. Tom Emmer, who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee — but he refused to explain why candidates underperformed, instead touting the likelihood the GOP will take the House.

There would be a data dive once all the races have been called, he said.