(NewsNation) — Eight Democrats have been able to flip seats over the past several months, which a former speaker of the House feels has occurred because Dems always do well in special elections.
“The Democrats did something very smart … they got a candidate that looked like a Republican,” Kevin McCarthy said during an appearance on “Katie Pavlich Tonight.” “He ran on issues of President Trump. So, President Trump would still carry this seat by 17 points. And the Republicans’ candidate really didn’t even live in Fort Worth, so it played against them.”
Taylor Rehmet, an Air Force veteran, defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss last weekend despite President Trump’s endorsement of Wambsganss.
Rehmet’s district had favored Trump and the GOP, but the race went to a runoff after none of the candidates secured a majority in the November election. The result was Republicans losing the race by more than 14 points.
Despite the resounding point differential, McCarthy says Republicans still have an overall advantage in the financial aspect.
“I think Republicans have the advantage when it comes to money,” he added. “Democrats are probably the weakest they have ever been in leadership with (Chuck) Schumer and Hakeem (Jeffries). And then, if you look at favorability, the Republican Party is still up by another 10 points.
“But what concerns me is what the Republicans have done with their majority. When the Democrats shut down the government, they kept all the Republicans out for two months. You only had the majority for 24 months, and you gave them two months.”
Too much infighting with Republicans in House: McCarthy
Asked by NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich if Republicans are detaching themselves from Trump or his agenda, McCarthy pointed to infighting as the underlying issue.
“Look, in three weeks, they passed more discharge petitions than they have in 30 years,” McCarthy explained. “That’s literally giving the House over to the Democrats. You are the majority. That should not take place.
“The other thing, too, is they sit and fight among themselves on whether they’re going to pass a rule. That’s not the place to be. You need to work together. Otherwise, you won’t be able to win together. And this whole campaign is going to be based upon the economy and health care.”
