Overview
- Rove published a Wall Street Journal column on Thursday warning that President Trump’s low approval — about 39.8 percent in the RealClearPolitics average cited by Rove — is harming GOP midterm prospects.
- He pointed to recent polling that shows Democrats ahead on the generic congressional ballot and argued that gerrymandering alone will not protect Republican House majorities.
- Rove singled out the White House’s public handling of the Iran war and the president’s late-night posts as creating wartime leadership optics problems that erode voter confidence.
- He criticized domestic messaging on issues voters care about, citing Trump’s promotion of a contested $1 billion White House security request, remarks downplaying high gasoline prices, and how those items overshadowed a drug-cost announcement.
- Rove urged the president to stay off the campaign trail while continuing to fundraise so Republican candidates can distance themselves, a move he says could reduce the chance Democrats reclaim the House.