Republicans knew the hurdles they were facing when they looked ahead to the 2018 midterms. Off-year elections are usually arrayed against the party in power, and the party’s leaders anticipated that President Donald Trump would be a problem in swing districts. They thought these hurdles would be offset, however, by their positions on health care, an issue they’ve dominated since 2010, and by the tax cuts they enacted.
The tax cuts, which Trump signed five months ago, are losing support. Each of the last seven national polls, according to Real Clear Politics, show more Americans disapprove than approve of the Republican’s self-styled tax-reform measure.