Conservatives Blame GOP Leadership — Not Trump — For Midterm Woes

A new national poll revealed that conservatives are not buying the legacy media narrative blaming the disappointing showing by Republicans in the midterm elections on former President Donald Trump.

Instead, the Rasmussen poll conducted for The National Pulse indicated that the GOP rank-and-file place responsibility squarely on the party’s establishment leadership.

More than double those who fault Trump targeted their frustrations at House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Republican Party chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.

There has been a concerted effort by this trio — along with the national media — to pile all blame for the absence of a “red wave” on Trump. However, Rasmussen data showed only 20% of conservative voters agree with that assessment.

Meanwhile, 43% blamed GOP leadership and only 16% faulted the individual candidates.

The question specifically asked respondents who is “most to blame” for the midterm setbacks. Responses could be the individual candidates, Trump, Republican leadership, or no one.

“Nobody’s fault” was the answer for 17% of those questioned and 5% said they were unsure.

Conversely, a full 46% of self-identifying liberals blamed Trump, which aligns with both mainstream media outlets and a host of Republican mega-donors.

It is revealing that liberals and GOP leaders are spreading the same rhetoric deflecting blame away from the top of the party.

And in a result that flies in the face of election tallies, 48% of voters said that having a GOP majority in the House is a positive compared to only 34% who viewed it negatively.

This response skewed heavily into the older demographic as voters 65 and older tended to favor Republican control of the House. The same age group parceled blame for midterm election failures onto congressional leaders and away from Trump.

Income levels also factored into poll responses. Voters with over $200,000 per year in income not only blamed Trump but felt it was bad for the GOP to control the House. They also agreed that it was good for Democrats to retain Senate control.