Republicans gain ground on Democrats in midterm polls as voters weigh President Trump's performance and the economy.
Republicans are narrowing the gap with Democrats ahead of the midterm elections, according to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll. While Democrats currently hold a 48% to 45% edge among registered voters for House control, the GOP is gaining momentum as the administration faces a "brand problem" and a potential identity crisis. The poll indicates that Republicans better represent voters on important issues (41% to 40%) and will perform better on the economy (39% to 35%). However, Democrats maintain a significant 10-point lead among voters certain to turn out. A major challenge for the administration is the "approval gap"; while 61% of voters disapprove of President Trump's performance, Democrats are struggling to convert those dissatisfied voters into consistent support for their own candidates. Republicans are leveraging the "Make America Great Again" movement, which maintains high enthusiasm among supporters. To succeed, the administration must convince voters that its policies offer a superior alternative to the far-left insurgents currently challenging the mainstream Democratic platform.