A leaked memo suggests that the Trump administration isn’t anticipating a quick victory in Iran. If that’s true, that could spell trouble for the GOP in the midterms.
Politico is reporting that the U.S. Central Command has requested additional military intelligence manpower be sent to its Tampa, Florida headquarters. The deployment of the officers is expected to be at least 100 days, but may extend through September, according to the media outlet.
That means President Donald Trump’s war with Iran is expected to last a lot longer than the four to five weeks span the administration originally claimed.
If the military operation extends to the fall, the midterms loom, and it’s already causing GOP concerns about the impact of a prolonged confrontation, particularly if casualties mount.
Politico quoted an anonymous Republican insider’s anguish: “When you’re at war, that is 75 percent of your time,” a Republican insider told Politico’s Playbook. “It already is a nightmare, because you’ve got the MAGA coalition just tearing at the seams. Anything in a game subtraction right now is f—— disastrous.”
This year's drop in gas prices was set to be a highlight of Republican midterm claims, countering an anticipated Democrat argument on affordability. That now appears likely out the window, as gas prices have spiked, with crude oil rising more than $10 per barrel and gas pump prices up 20 percent since the war’s start.
A Reuters poll found 60 precent of independents said Trump’s use of military force was “too much,” according to Reuters. Also, a YouGov/Economist poll discovered found the administration is facing its highest disapproval rating of its second term.
The White House and Defense Department have not commented so far on the Politico report.
