Midterm Elections Of 2026

The Urgent Need For Generational Change In Congress

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Both houses of Congress are overly “elderly”, and polls indicate Americans want an age cap and term limits, in order to modernize the institution, and make it relevant to the younger generations which feel they are not adequately represented.

The average member of the House of Representatives is 58, and in the Senate, it is 65, and the present Congress is the third oldest in US history.

Fortunately, some members who are elderly are retiring, and a few have passed away, but still there are cases of members who simply do not believe in the concept of retirement.

So we have Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, nearing age 93 in September, who is Senate President Pro Tempore, third in line of Presidential succession, who would have become President if a horrible tragedy had occurred at the recent White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in late April.

There are some members of Congress who are effective at an advanced age, but public office should not be a lifetime job, and it would inspire more younger Americans to vote if they could see people they can relate to, in public office.

An age limit of 75 seems reasonable, and thankfully, there are younger contenders running for election in the Midterm Elections of 2026, as this blogger has written about before.

Hopefully, there will be a “youth wave” moving forward, and many of these seekers of becoming part of Congress succeed in November.

Trump Public Opinion Negatives At All Time High!

Ronald 52 Comments

The newly revealed Washington Post public opinion polls on Donald Trump mark an all time high of negatives on both the economy and foreign policy.

Disapproval numbers are as follows:

His job as President 62 percent
Cost of Living in the US 76 percent
inflation 72 percent
The Situation with Iran 66 percent
Relations with US Allies 65 percent
The Economy 65 percent
Taxes 61 percent
Immigration 59 percent
US Mexico Border Situation 54 percent
End to Birthright Citizenship 65 percent
Reductions in Federal Funding for Medical Research 78 percent
Raise Defense Budget from $1 Trillion to $1.5 Trillion 65 percent
End Temporary Legal Status For Migrants From Conflict Ridden Countries 59 percent
Trump’s Mental Acuity 59 percent
Trump’s Physical Health 55 percent
Trump Not Honest and Trustworthy 71 percent
Trump Does Not Carefully Consider Important Decisions 67 percent
Trump Not A Strong Leader 54 percent

Trump Cabinet
RFK Jr Net Negative 19
Kash Patel Net Negative 19
Pete Hegseth Net Negative 17
Vice President JD Vance Net Negative 13
Marco Rubio Net Negative 7
Jerome Powell Net Positive 7

However, Democrats still have problems having Americans trust them, with many voters feeling the party is too “liberal”, which makes the problem of who is the best candidate for Democrats in 2028 problematical.

Motivating Americans to vote, including millions who did not vote in 2024, will be the major issue that decides the Midterm Elections of 2026. And Independents, and young voters, will be crucial factors.

On a generic ballot, Democrats at present have a five point edge, but whether that will hold or expand in the next six months, is hard to project.

The Internal Battle For The 2028 Republican Presidential Nomination

Ronald 3 Comments

Once the Midterm Elections of 2026 are over, six months from now, the contest for the 2028 Presidential Election in both political parties will commence in earnest.

Clearly, there will be a multitude of Democratic Presidential nominees, but also, the Republican Party battle for who will succeed the most divisive President in American history will be very intense.

Vice President JD Vance, in theory, will be the front-runner for the Presidency, with, of course, the growing possibility that he might succeed Trump during the term, due to the rapid mental and physical deterioration that is clear to anyone who has any intelligence and perception.

If Vance ends up in the White House before the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2028, he would become the automatic nominee, as it would become impossible to stop him.

But if he is still Vice President, Vance will face fierce opposition for the succession from at least the following:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Texas Senator Ted Cruz
Outgoing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley

Supposedly, Rubio has declared he would not challenge Vance, but that is not a statement that can be taken at face value at this point.

Ted Cruz could end up on the Supreme Court if either Clarence Thomas or Samuel Alito retire, leaving a vacancy on the Court.

DeSantis might end up in the Trump Cabinet as a replacement for the Defense Department or some other Cabinet position, once he leaves the Florida Governorship in January.

Rand Paul seems highly likely, as a libertarian and a critic of much of what Trump represents, to announce for President, but he also would face Senate reelection in 2028, if he fails to do well in early primaries in 2028.

Hawley is more of a long shot, but also could decide to contest the nomination.

There could be other potential contenders, but at this point, the best bet would be on either Vance or Rubio.

Since Vance is known to have opposed the Iran War, this is a very difficult time for him as the heir apparent, awkward when one learns that many of those around Donald Trump are suspicious of him, supposedly including White House Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles, who has a great impact on the President.

Vance cannot be fired, however, although, in theory, he could resign at some point, but that would be a long shot, not likely.

If one had to perceive the future, the scenario could be that Rubio would have the edge in the mind of Donald Trump, even though perceptions of Rubio show a grim appearance, indicating a feeling of discomfort as Rubio has, seemingly, abandoned his former foreign policy views, including support of Ukraine against Russia, to accommodate Trump.

Reapportionment Battles Create Massive Struggle For Control Of House Of Representatives In The Future 120th Congress (2027-2029)!

Ronald 13 Comments

The reapportionment battle in Virginia yesterday resulted in a gerrymandering that will, in theory, provide four more likely Democratic held seats in the US House of Representatives for the future 120th Congress (2027-2029).

This is the latest development in the battle for the lower chamber of Congress, begun by President Donald Trump urging Texas to reapportion, and then further pursued in reaction by Democrats to do the same in California, and then other states also participating in gerrymandering in the midpoint of the decade, instead of the usual such action after the census that takes place across the nation in the decennial reapportionment.

Ironically, the action of Texas may partially backfire and help Democrats gain one or two seats, and of course, there is no certainty as to how elections based on this present gerrymandering activity will play itself out in reality.

On paper, it is pretty much a “wash”, at this point however, with the theoretical results being so far:

Texas 5 Republican gains
California 5 Democratic gains
Virginia 4 Democratic gains
Ohio 2 Republican gains
North Carolina 1 Republican gain
Missouri 1 Republican gain
Utah 1 Democratic gain
Florida (special session next week, potential 1-5 Republican gain

Before Florida, theoretically, Democrats may have gained a one seat edge, but if Florida succeeds in its gerrymandering, Republicans could gain a few seats edge.

Also, still in limbo, but possibly taking gerrymandering action before the elections in November, are New York, Georgia, and Louisiana.

Of course, this is not even taking into consideration that public opinion of Republicans is in rapid decline.

Also, there will be massive turnover, with many retirements, and some resignations to avoid expulsion.

The economic situation and anti Iran War views of vast majorities of Americans is making for a very favorable climate for Democrats, who already have won a vast majority of off year and special elections since the results of the Presidential Election of 2024, now nearly a year and a half ago.

One Week Away, And So Much News Occurring!

Ronald 124 Comments

This blogger, author, and scholar has been away in Philadelphia for the past week, first time since 2008, visiting all of the historic sites and museums in that city, and also enjoying the musical “1776”, at the Walnut Theater, the oldest theater in America, going back to 1809 (the year of Abraham Lincoln’s birth), so now celebrating its 217th year.

While on vacation, so much news occurred, as one can never escape from reality, so we saw, among other news events the following:

Exposure of the abuses perpetrated by California Democratic Congressman Eric Swallwell, a leading candidate for Governor, forcing his withdrawal from that race, and resignation from Congress, a totally stunning event.

The continued conflict between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, including Trump being depicted as Jesus, or being blessed by Jesus, a true blasphemy of the true teachings of Christianity. It has alienated millions of American Catholics from Donald Trump.

The surprising overwhelming defeat of Hungarian right wing leader Viktor Orban in national elections, a real blow to the Fascist orientation of both Orban, and of Donald Trump and JD Vance, who campaigned to save him, and failed massively, undermining both Trump’s image, and the future of JD Vance.

Growing indications that with the Iran War continuing,

and with growing criticism of many of Donald Trump’s Cabinet members,

and with higher prices affecting tens of millions of Americans,

and also the clearcut enrichment of Trump and his family against the emoluments clause of the Constitution,

that Republicans are on the road to massive losses in the upcoming midterm elections of 2026.

NY Times Reports On White House “Situation Room” Discussions That Led To Decision To Go To War With Iran

Ronald 11 Comments

After more than five weeks of war, now the NY Times reports on the White House “Situation Room” discussions that led to the decision for Donald Trump to decide that America should go to war with Iran.

It is now more clear than ever before that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an overwhelming impact on Donald Trump, and was actually present in the “Situation Room” to give the case for war.

But it is also clear that Vice President JD Vance had strong discomfort about going to war, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, General Dan Caine (Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), and White House Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles, all had different levels of reservation about the military effort.

Interestingly, and disturbing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard were not even part of the group considering what action to take.

At the same time, why would non diplomats Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who clearly botched their negotiations with Iran before February 28, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (who is way out of the loop in regards to her own utterances and behavior), even be part of the discussion?

Only Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was strongly advocating action, and the rest were wimpy and weak and caved in to Trump’s evil instincts.

The danger to the Strait of Hormuz being shut down was discussed by General Caine, and the concern about the depletion of munitions over time. And everyone certainly knew a war would have a disastrous economic effect, as well as undermine relations with NATO allies and other friendly nations, but the entire group, in differing levels, were too weak to come out and oppose the military action.

For this, the Trump Presidency and its participants on high levels will be condemned in the long run of history, and most certainly, it will have a massive negative effect on Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026, although Trump is attempting to interfere in such elections, and must be vehemently fought in every way possible, in court and on the streets, to prevent such corruption and fixing or preventing elections.

American democracy is at stake, and everyone must be ready to do their part to promote necessary change, which should include the forced resignation or removal of Donald Trump, and replacement by Vice President Vance, who although he went along in a weak way with the actions taken, at least it is clear that he would be likely to change course when and if he became President of the United States!

Donald Trump Public Opinion Rating In Wartime Collapsing

Ronald 199 Comments

Donald Trump’s Iran War is causing a collapse in his popularity, which already was under water.

His lack of strategy, and his reckless incitement for war, when Iran was not a direct threat anytime soon on America, is an indication of how dangerous a wartime leader he is.

Trump is attacking NATO nations for refusal to engage in a war that was not essential, and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz is causing a massive oil and gasoline crisis, with motorists now paying one dollar more per gallon, compared to three weeks ago, when the war began.

The overall cost of living is skyrocketing, and that is bad news for Republicans in the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026, the reason why Donald Trump is trying to interfere with the right to vote, and trying to destroy the Voting Rights Act of 1965, to fix the elections for Republicans.

Traditionally, the midterm elections always see a decline in the number of seats controlled by the President’s party, and a real landslide for Democrats looks likely, assuming Trump cannot succeed in his mission to limit the right to vote, through the proposed SAVE America Act.

The history of Presidents seeing popularity drop during wartime is stark:

Harry Truman had reached a high of 69 percent in 1949, but during the Korean War in 1952, his rating dropped to 22 percent, minus 47 points.

Lyndon B. Johnson had reached a high of 78 percent in 1963, after he succeeded the assassinated John F. Kennedy, but during the Vietnam War, his rating in 1968 dropped to 35 percent, minus 43 points.

Jimmy Carter had reached a high of 58 percent in January 1980, but in the next five months of the Iranian hostage crisis, his rating dropped to 27 percent, minus 31 points.

George W. Bush had reached a high of 90 percent after September 11, 2001, but in the midst of the Iraqi Civil War intervention in 2007, his rating dropped to 29 percent, minus 61 points.

And Joe Biden had reached a high of 56 percent in June 2021, but after the Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021, his rating dropped to 43 percent, minus 13 points.

Trump has reached a low of 36 percent at this time, and is likely to go lower.

MAGA Republicans And Other Republicans Growing In Opposing Iran War!

Ronald 3 Comments

In just 2 weeks, Donald Trump has managed to turn prominent MAGA Republicans and other Republicans against his Iran War.

The list is growing:

Tucker Carlson
Steve Bannon
Megyn Kelly
Joe Rogan
Ann Coulter
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Nick Fuentes
Thomas Massie
Erik Prince
Rand Paul

and counting!

And Democrats have won overwhelmingly in special elections and off year elections in the 14 months Donald Trump has been President in his second term.

With the split in his party, which is growing, and overwhelming Democratic opposition, with the one exception of Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania at this point, the Republicans are on the road to a massive defeat in both houses of Congress, particularly if the Iran War continues.

The financial costs of the war, along with the effects on gasoline and oil prices, and the loss of troops and the injuries suffered by our troops, which are escalating, are all negatives for Donald Trump and his party!

No wonder Donald Trump is trying to fix the midterm elections by forcing the passage of the proposed SAVE Act, which would disenfranchise millions of Americans, an action which must be prevented!

Each state is supposed to run its own elections, without interference by the federal government and it cannot be allowed that the situation is fixed to distort reality!

Emergence Of Anti Iran War MAGA Republicans Could Affect Midterm Elections Of 2026, And Presidential Election Of 2028!

Ronald 73 Comments

Now that the United States is in Week Two of the Iran War, and with the son of the late Ayatollah being annointed his successor, it seems clear that America is on the road to a long, massive, expensive, disastrous intervention in the Middle East, without any certainty of success, similar to the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.

And opposition is starting to emerge, from many so called MAGA Republicans, against the military intervention, some of it openly, and some of it behind the scenes.

Openly critical individuals this early include:

Tucker Carlson
Steve Bannon
Marjorie Taylor Greene, former Congresswoman from Georgia
Thomas Massie, Congressman from Kentucky
Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky

Behind the scenes, based on past views about military intervention, and support of “isolationism” expressed, would include the following:

Vice President JD Vance
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard

The latter two are being very quiet at this point, but their past record of viewpoints clashes with what Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and apparently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio are promoting.

So there could be a battle brewing for the future of the Republican Party, based on what happens in the midterms, and as the Republican Party starts to look at its future direction.

It is hard to imagine Vance openly breaking with his party and his “boss”, the President of the United States, but it is perceived by many that had Vice President Kamala Harris expressed more differences with her “boss”, Joe Biden, possibly, the result in the Presidential Election of 2024 might have been different.

If Vance was to “break” with Trump, he still would be Vice President, but it would encourage Marco Rubio, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, and others to challenge him for the Presidential nomination in 2028.

Of course, IF Vance became President by succession, and therefore, would be a sitting President, it would be much more difficult for a rebellion by MAGA Republicans to succeed against him.

Most certainly, the future of the Republican Party with the upcoming Presidential Election of 2028, is very much a fluid situation, and very difficult to project what will occur down the road!

Trump’s Women Cabinet Members The Worst Combination EVER Of Any President!

Ronald 27 Comments

There have been 72 Women Cabinet Officers since the first one, Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins (1933-1946) was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and continued in the early months of the Presidency of Harry Truman, therefore the longest serving woman Cabinet officer.

Some have been outstanding in their performance, with only the first two being appointed before 1975. Jimmy Carter was the first to have multiple women appointments. Bill Clinton was the first to have five such appointments, and George W. Bush had six, while Barack Obama had eight, which Donald Trump has matched between his first term and the first year of his second term.

Some have been really outstanding and exceptional, while many have been at least noncontroversial.

But Donald Trump, particularly in his second term, has three such Cabinet members who are outrageously horrific, arrogant, nasty, confrontational, divisive, and many other possible negative images.

These are:

Pam Bondi, Attorney General
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Health And Human Services
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence

All three have caused outrage, and demands that they resign, be fired, or be impeached, a level of fury never seen before!

Bondi and Noem have appeared before committees in the House of Representatives and Senate, and have infuriated legislators, mostly Democrats, but also some Republicans, with their refusal to take responsibility for their blunders and errors.

The fact that Pam Bondi has NOT apologized to victims of Jeffrey Epstein, and has slow walked releasing many of the Epstein records; and Noem has refused to apologize for the horrific ICE murder of Rene Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, and labeling them “domestic terrorists”, has caused great outrage.

And Gabbard, as Director of National Intelligence, has been engaged in activities not her position, including interfering in yet another outrageous investigation of the Georgia vote in the Presidential Election of 2020, a sign of the desire of Donald Trump to interfere in the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026 and the Presidential Election of 2028.

These women Cabinet Officers have no shame and no goal except to be total sycophants to Donald Trump, and all three should be forced out of office by resigning, being fired, or being impeached!