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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 193

The Magnificent Seven

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 193: The Magnificent Seven

‘The Vibes Are Very Bad’

September 9, 2026 · 6:40 am ET · Leave a Comment

“Republicans’ Trump-a-palooza threatens to put the party’s general-election headaches on blast, with candidates finding new ways to keep their distance from President Donald Trump over fears he’ll drag them down in November,” Politico reports.

“On the ground in Dallas, the early reports aren’t giving Republicans a ton of hope for a turnaround.”

Said a Republican lobbyist: “The vibes are very bad. Dems are salivating. Our people are debating Israel. Or melting down about this or that. No one is motivated to vote. Only the DSA rise is what’s keeping us in the game.”

New York Times: Will Trump’s midterm convention help or hurt Republicans? 5 things to watch.

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2026 Campaign, Republicans

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Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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