Election forecaster explains why Trump could drag down Senate GOP in 2020
As November draws closer, political pundits will not only be keeping a close eye on the presidential race, but also, U.S. Senate races. Democrats are hoping to regain control of the Senate this year, which is possible if they maintain all of the seats they are defending and flip at least four GOP-held seats. And election forecaster Rachel Bitecoffer, during an MSNBC appearance, addressed Republican fears that if President Donald Trump loses to former Vice President Joe Biden in November, he might drag Senate Republicans down with him.
Bitecoffer explained, “Strategically, what would be ideal for these senators would be to distance themselves from Trump. It would certainly be what they would like to do. But in Trumpworld, if you are not wrapping yourself around Trump and talking about how wonderful he is at all times, it is a cardinal sin. And it might invoke his Twitter rage.”
Bitecoffer went on to cite examples of some GOP incumbent senators who could be “in trouble” this year, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona. Such senators, she said, would be better off if “rhetorically,” they could distance themselves from Trump.
Bitecoffer noted, “The (GOP) needs to hold on to the Senate in the fall. You can tell Donald Trump that information, and it’s going to be accurate information. But it does not matter because he is not capable of rational strategic thinking in a way that a normal politician would be. What matters to him is his ego, and he demands allegiance from these people.”
