{"id":2672757,"date":"2026-09-29T14:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-having-tough-time-deciding-whether-to-side-with-trump-bob-cusack\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T14:13:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:13:03","slug":"republicans-having-tough-time-deciding-whether-to-side-with-trump-bob-cusack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-having-tough-time-deciding-whether-to-side-with-trump-bob-cusack\/","title":{"rendered":"Republicans having tough time deciding whether to side with Trump: Bob Cusack"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frepublicans-having-tough-time-deciding-whether-to-side-with-trump-bob-cusack%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2672757&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Washington Examiner&#8217;s executive editor Bob Cusack discussed the difficulties Republicans face amid President Donald Trump&#8217;s declining public approval ratings, which jeopardize thier midterm chances. He highlighted that Trump\u2019s negative perception forces Republicans in precarious positions, especially in swing districts, as they struggle to balance supporting him and maintaining independence. The article notes that Trump\u2019s approval has dropped significantly during his second term, prompting some Republican members, such as Rep. ashley hinson, to break wiht him on issues like tariffs and foreign policy. Additionally, campaign efforts are revealing potential candidates for the 2028 presidential race, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose electability remains a concern. Democrats are wary of her potential in a general election due to her progressive stance and internal party divisions. Cusack emphasizes that both parties are navigating uncertain electoral terrain ahead of upcoming elections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Washington Examiner<\/em> executive editor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/bob-cusack\/\" data-type=\"mediapress_author\" data-id=\"20047\">Bob Cusack<\/a> said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"240\">Republicans<\/a> are in a challenging position on how to navigate President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s negative public perception.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTrump is putting these Republicans in a rough spot,\u201d Cusack said Monday on CNN\u2019s <em>The Lead with Jake Tapper<\/em>. \u201cDo they appear with him or not? They need his base, but yet they have to be independent.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-9bb86d4f-19d4-4cd4-9590-eabfa8bd69a3-style\">@scope (#mos-9bb86d4f-19d4-4cd4-9590-eabfa8bd69a3) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sununu-and-shaheen-look-to-keep-dynasties-alive-in-new-hampshire\/\" title=\"Sununu and Shaheen look to keep dynasties alive in New Hampshire\">-grid {     grid-template-columns<\/a>: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-9bb86d4f-19d4-4cd4-9590-eabfa8bd69a3-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-9bb86d4f-19d4-4cd4-9590-eabfa8bd69a3) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-9bb86d4f-19d4-4cd4-9590-eabfa8bd69a3\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4684167\/trump-approval-rating-new-low-62-percent-disapprove\/\">job satisfaction rating has plummeted<\/a> during his second term in office, a fact that has Republicans nervous ahead of the midterm elections. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4742928\/trump-republican-defections-midterm-elections-john-curtis-maria-salazar-pushback\/\">Members of the Republican Party<\/a>, especially those in toss-up districts, have <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4738778\/iowa-senate-race-ashley-hinson-josh-turek\/\">begun breaking with the president<\/a> on numerous issues, including immigration policies, the Iran war, and tariffs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Iowa, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) is running in a competitive Senate race as she aims to keep the state red.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: inline-block; width: 100%; max-width: 640px; min-height: 180px; max-height: 360px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share?id=3752520&#038;userid=11311&#038;usertype=user&#038;loginid=10455&#038;playercolor=%23000000&#038;playersize=auto&#038;code=d1ec31425bf9971ed9c922bda7888a17\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHinson has broken with the president publicly on tariffs as well as the war, and \u2026 a year ago, no one was talking about the Senate flipping,\u201d Cusack said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Campaigns across the country have also provided some insight into who may be setting themselves up for a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4737267\/aoc-electability-playing-decision-run-for-president\/\">presidential run in 2028<\/a>. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) appears to be gearing up for a high-profile campaign. Cusack said he believes it will either be a Senate run or a presidential bid for her.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not so sure she\u2019s even made her decision on this yet,\u201d Cusack said. \u201cAnd, I mean, could she win a presidential primary? Yes. Especially with 20 Democrats who run, she could win with 30-35% of the vote. At the same time, her greatest weakness is her electability.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4742928\/trump-republican-defections-midterm-elections-john-curtis-maria-salazar-pushback\/\"><strong>TRUMP WAVES OFF REPUBLICAN BREAKS AS MIDTERM GROWS CLOSER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The representative may face an uphill battle as a socialist as members of the Democratic Party break with her, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/09\/27\/swing-state-democrats-snub-aoc-midterms\">according to <em>Axios<\/em><\/a>. Cusack said Democrats may also hesitate after seeing unsuccessful campaigns by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2016 and 2024, respectively.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd I talked to a number of Democrats who say, \u2018Listen, we need a white male government, we need to win in 2028,\u2019\u201d Cusack said. \u201cAnd whether that\u2019s wrong or right, people are very concerned that she would not be electable in the general.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Republicans face tough choices amid Trump&#8217;s declining favor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4395,"featured_media":2672758,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26270838624858.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[69221,53612,35836,3756,3634],"class_list":["post-2672757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bob-cusack","tag-party-divide","tag-political-decision","tag-republicans","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26270838624858.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4395"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2672757"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2672761,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672757\/revisions\/2672761"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2672758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2672757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2672757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2672757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}