Rep. Suzan DelBene stands before microphones claiming Democrats have momentum with 100 days left until midterms. The momentum in question: Trump's approval rating dipped. That's the plan. Wait for the other guy's numbers to fall.
Political parties discovered something revolutionary. If the president people don't like becomes slightly less popular, you might win seats. Groundbreaking stuff. Someone get the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee a calculator and a participation trophy.
DelBene sees a path back to the House majority. The path involves talking about momentum for 100 days straight while Americans decide whether they hate inflation or Trump more this week. Sophisticated strategy. Really playing chess here.
Here's what momentum means in politics: you're behind but the polls moved half a point in your direction so you call a press conference. You tell reporters you've got wind in your sails. You use the word "path" like you're Gandalf leading hobbits to Mordor instead of a fundraising committee chair begging donors for another round of TV ads in suburban districts.
The DCCC measured the distance between now and November. Came up with 100 days. Decided this was newsworthy. Called it a milestone. Meanwhile your average retail trader is scanning this headline wondering if there's a midterm election ETF he can leverage 10x before Thanksgiving.
Trump's approval dips and suddenly Democrats think they're getting the House back. His approval could drop to zero and half these candidates would still lose to a libertarian running on a platform of privatizing fire departments. But sure, momentum. Keep saying that word until it means something.
The funniest part: both parties do this same dance every two years. Count down the days. Claim momentum. Measure approval ratings like they're checking a fever. Then election night hits and everyone acts surprised by results that were obvious three months earlier.
DelBene's momentum is just Trump sucking slightly more than usual, which is like claiming you're winning a race because the guy ahead of you tripped on his own shoelaces.
Photo by Manny Becerra on Unsplash
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