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You are here: Home / 2026 Campaign / The Republican Freak Out Is Here

The Republican Freak Out Is Here

September 23, 2026 at 5:45 am ET By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“There are 41 days until Election Day, and Republicans are throwing everything and the kitchen sink at their sinking political fortunes,” Punchbowl News reports.

”Over the past few weeks, the electoral climate for President Donald Trump and Republican leaders has worsened dramatically, according to lawmakers, aides and political advisers who see daily polling.”

”Gas prices are sky-high. Diesel sets a new record almost daily. Trump said at the United Nations Tuesday that the Iran war won’t end until ‘after the midterm elections.’ That’s a frightening prospect for GOP lawmakers who are now publicly calling for an end to the seven-month conflict.”

”Rep. Ashley Hinson, the GOP Senate candidate in Iowa, is demanding the House return to session to enact a ban on diesel exports. This won’t happen, but it shows a suddenly vulnerable Republican desperately scrambling for a message.”

Filed Under: 2026 Campaign, Republicans

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About Political Wire

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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