Democrats should be taking the fight to Trump – the problem is, he’s got them battling each other | Jonathan Freedland
As the United States gears up for the 2025 off-year elections next Tuesday, the political landscape is rife with anticipation and uncertainty. These elections, featuring gubernatorial races in key states like New Jersey and Virginia, alongside various statewide referendums and the highly watched mayoral election in New York City, are poised to serve as a litmus test for the national mood. This election cycle arrives a year after Donald Trump’s return to the presidency and just a year before the midterm elections, which could significantly alter the political dynamics in Washington. Despite the apparent advantages for the Democratic Party, the ongoing influence of Trump continues to complicate the opposition’s strategy and effectiveness.
In New Jersey and Virginia, where Democrats have historically enjoyed strong support, the current political climate should favor the opposition. Recent polling indicates that Trump’s approval ratings have plummeted to a mere 39%, with 58% of Americans expressing disapproval of his presidency, a trend that could signal trouble for Republicans in these pivotal races. Many voters are particularly dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of the economy and are attributing the ongoing government shutdown—now entering its second month—to his administration. This discontent presents Democrats with a prime opportunity to capitalize on Trump’s unpopularity and secure wins in traditionally blue states. However, the reality is more complex. The Democratic Party is grappling with its own internal divisions and strategic missteps, which could hinder their ability to effectively challenge the GOP.
The outcomes of these elections will not only reflect voter sentiment towards Trump but also highlight the Democratic Party’s struggles to unify and present a coherent alternative. With the stakes high, the results could foreshadow the political battles ahead, particularly as both parties prepare for the critical midterm elections. As the nation watches closely, the upcoming contests will undoubtedly reveal much about the current state of American politics, the resilience of Trump’s influence, and the Democratic Party’s capacity to rally and respond to the challenges at hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mm2pZVnWlk
Elections across the US next week should be easy pickings for the opposition. But they’re finding it hard to beat a player who breaks all the rules
Every year is election year in the US, but the contests of 2025, which reach their climax on Tuesday, will be especially revealing. These “off-year” battles – a smattering of governors’ races, statewide referendums and the election of a new mayor in the country’s biggest city – will tell us much about the national mood 12 months after Americans returned Donald Trump to the White House and one year before midterm contests that could reshape the US political landscape. Above all, though, they will reveal the division, the confusion and sheer discombobulation Trump has induced in the US’s party of opposition.
The verdict on Trump’s first 10 months in office will be delivered most clearly in the two states set to choose a new governor: New Jersey and Virginia. By rights, these should be relatively easy wins for the Democrats. Both states voted for Kamala Harris a year ago, and the current polls are grim for Trump. This week,
an Economist/YouGov survey
registered Trump’s lowest rating of his second term – 39% of Americans approve of him, while 58% disapprove – the lowest number they’d recorded for him bar one poll in his first term. Trump’s handling of the economy gets especially low marks, and a plurality of voters blame the continuing government shutdown, now in its second month, on Trump and his party. If an off-year election offers an opportunity to kick an unpopular incumbent, then Tuesday should be plain sailing for Democrats.
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Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering General news.
