Republicans fret Trump staying in the limelight could tank their 2022 chances
by David M. Drucker, Senior Political Correspondent
January 06, 2021 06:08 PMRepublican insiders fear President Trump’s brazen attempt to overturn the November election could haunt the party for years, jeopardizing otherwise excellent GOP prospects for winning control of Congress in 2022.
Anxiety over Trump’s refusal to concede to President-elect Joe Biden, and plans to continue as leader of the GOP after leaving the White House, peaked Wednesday when thousands of his supporters stormed the United States Capitol after encouragement from the outgoing commander in chief. The violence delayed a joint session of Congress from completing votes to certify Biden’s Electoral College victory, Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding, and lawmakers evacuated to secure locations.
The siege of Capitol Hill unfolded less than 24 hours after Republicans lost control of the Senate, ceding the levers of power in Washington to the Democrats.
The GOP suffered twin defeats in a pair of Senate runoff elections in Georgia amid Trump’s unfounded claims the Nov. 3 election was rigged in a broad conspiracy to deny him a second term. Trump continuing to fan the flames for the next two years could keep Democratic voters uncommonly energized heading into the 2022 midterm elections and chase away suburban voters inclined to return to the Republican fold to provide some balance to the government.
<..snip..>
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/republicans-fret-trump-staying-in-the-limelight-could-tank-their-2022-chances