NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report joined Geoff Bennett to discuss recent political developments, including California Governor Gavin Newsom's activities related to the 2028 presidential race, the Republicans' midterm convention, and the impact of President Trump's approval rating on GOP campaigns.
During the conversation, Walter noted Newsom's presence in South Carolina, a significant state in the Democratic primary process, where he emphasized his opposition to Trump and his success in passing a redistricting referendum. She highlighted the importance of appealing to African American voters in South Carolina for any Democratic candidate's presidential aspirations.
Keith pointed out that Republicans are currently in a defensive position, with President Biden's approval rating at approximately 38%, which is lower than it was at the same time in 2018. She drew parallels to the 2006 elections, where Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate amid dissatisfaction with the president's performance.
The discussion also covered the upcoming midterm elections, with Keith noting that Republicans are attempting to shift the focus from Trump to individual Democratic candidates, a challenging task for many.
The Republicans are holding a national midterm convention in Dallas, which is a first for the party. Keith reported that the event, referred to as 'Trumpapalooza' by RNC Chairman Joe Gruters, will feature Trump as the headliner. However, many candidates in competitive races are not participating, indicating a desire to distance themselves from Trump.
Walter explained that Trump's strategy is to encourage voter turnout by making it feel as though he is on the ballot, despite not being a candidate in the midterms. The conversation concluded with a discussion on Trump's financial support for Republican candidates, including a recent $10 million expenditure by his super PAC on ads in Texas targeting a specific candidate.
The segment provided insights into the current political landscape as the midterms approach, highlighting the strategies and challenges faced by both parties.