Republicans trade blame as polling weakens ahead of midterms

Republican leaders and candidates are blaming one another as the party braces for possible losses in next month’s midterm elections. The dispute matters because Republicans are defending control of Congress while facing weak polling for President Donald Trump and unexpectedly competitive races in states they had expected to win comfortably.

A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey found that 33 per cent of US adults approved of Trump’s performance, while 66 per cent disapproved. House Republicans have criticised the Senate campaign spending, including nearly $200 million spent by Republican-aligned groups in Texas to support Ken Paxton; others blame Trump’s standing, tariffs and the Iran war, while some candidates have criticised their party committees.