GOP Optimistic About Taking Back the House After Failed Impeachment

Matt Margolis | 11:27 AM on February 09, 2020

The Capitol is seen in Washington, early Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. President Donald Trump is on the cusp of being impeached by the House, with a historic debate set Wednesday on charges that he abused his power and obstructed Congress ahead of votes that will leave a defining mark on his tenure at the White House.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

It has been widely accepted that the Republican Party’s chances of retaking the House of Representatives are slim. The announced retirement of several Republican congressmen has made their prospects for reclaiming the majority even worse.

But given the terrible week Democrats just had, there is newfound optimism in the party that the GOP could win back seats and even win back the majority in November. Democratic Party leaders are also “on edge” over their disastrous week, which began with the Iowa caucus debacle on Monday and the incredible economic numbers released on Friday.

To win back the House, Republicans would have to win at least 18 seats. The latest Real Clear Politics average shows Democrats winning the generic ballot by just over six points. 270towin.com currently projects the Democratic Party to maintain control of the House, but a strong economy could improve the GOP’s chances significantly.

A senior GOP aide who attended the House Republican Conference meeting on Wednesday morning reported that Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX) told colleagues, “Let’s do what we’ve been doing, stay on message and we’ll get the majority back.”

President Trump vowed to help the GOP win back the majority during his post-acquittal speech on Thursday, telling House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, “you’re going to be Speaker of the House because of this impeachment hoax. I really believe it.”

McCarthy feels good about the GOP’s odds in November. “Look at our favorability rating — it’s the best it’s been since 2004, 2005. Look at the successes we’ve had. And then when you contrast that to the Democrats, what do they have?”

McCarthy added, “You’ve got the freshman members in Trump districts very upset that Schiff and Pelosi put them in this place.”

The GOP clearly has an opportunity to win back the House. It’s gonna take a huge effort on their part to pull it off.

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Matt Margolis is the author of Trumping Obama: How President Trump Saved Us From Barack Obama’s Legacy and the bestselling book The Worst President in History: The Legacy of Barack Obama. You can follow Matt on Twitter @MattMargolis