Yes, the Midterms Were About the Iran War

The article argues that the Iran war was a major factor in Republicans’ midterm losses, giving Democrats a lead of at least 36 House seats. It says new polling supports Vice President J.D. Vance’s view that the war hurt the party, while other Republicans argue voters wanted a harder campaign against Iran.

A YouGov poll found 44 per cent of Americans were less likely to vote for a candidate who supported the war, compared with 13 per cent who were more likely; 53 per cent said Congress should decide when it ends. The same share prioritised lower prices over achieving US military goals, against 22 per cent who favoured meeting those goals despite high prices. The article links voter concerns to rising fuel costs and the administration’s conflicting accounts of its aims, which range from preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon to overthrowing the government.