Republicans Reckon With Midterm Election Fallout

“The Republican Party, staring at the worst midterm performance by a party out of power in two decades, traded recriminations on Friday over whether the ultimate cause was poor candidates, an overheated message or the electoral anchor that appeared to be dragging the G.O.P. down, former President Donald Trump,” the New York Times reports.

“With election results still rolling in, a thin Republican majority in the House still appeared likely, but the party’s hopes of capturing the Senate appeared in doubt Friday night after the Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly’s victory over Blake Masters in Arizona. For Republican leaders who had predicted a red wave that would broadly rebuke President Biden, the disappointing showing was undeniable.”

“Democratic incumbents have so far won nearly all of their races, while Republicans have racked up surprising losses from Maine to Washington, with candidates endorsed by Mr. Trump losing the pivotal Senate contest in Pennsylvania and key House and statewide races in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and elsewhere.”

Washington Post: “As Republicans grapple with their lackluster performance in Tuesday’s midterm elections, one man has begun to take on an unusual amount of criticism from his fellow partisans: Donald Trump.”