Probably, says John Cassidy.
But then again, maybe not. Republican numbers seem to have remained in the same place they were last February.
So far, voters do not appear to be inspired. The approval rating of Republicans in Congress is dismal—around twenty per cent, according to recent polls. The G.O.P.’s numbers in generic head-to-head surveys, which ask voters which party they intend to vote for in congressional elections, have ticked up in the past month—perhaps a reflection of rising concerns about foreign policy, which usually help Republicans—but the change has been modest. The latest Times/CBS News poll has shown similar stasis... Cassidy,NewYorker
He goes on to explain that they remain stuck in their "Southern strategy."
For decades, the Southern strategy, with its racial undertones, proved successful: between 1968 and 1988, the Republicans won five out of six Presidential elections. In places like Arkansas, the old playbook might still work, especially in a midterm election in which turnout is low. But in the United States of the twenty-first century, it’s not a lasting recipe for success. Whatever happens on November 4th, the G.O.P. will eventually have to come up with something different. ...Cassidy,NewYorker
The question is, how many Republican voters are now embarrassed enough about being stuck in the "racist" category? And how many Dems are using this in their campaigns to ask Republicans -- particularly Republicans in college and younger than sixty -- whether they really want to vote "old, white, and racist"? Energetic, inclusive, and open-hearted seems so much healthier.
___
By the way, it seems that Republicans have had a tough time finding fellow Republicans who will admit to being regular people. In a campaign to show Republicans who were regular people enough to own Priuses and grow beards -- or simply be black or maybe sport a tattoo -- they had to rely on stock photos, not photos of actual photos. Couldn't find any Republicans who are Prius owners or are black.
