In both the VA and AL cases it was low turnout by Republican voters that cost them the election. And low turnout is usually an indication of a terrible candidate and/or a terrible message.
In Alabama, I think the candidate was terrible and the message didn't resonate (to the extent it even got out to voters).
In Virginia, I think the candidate was probably OK but message was terrible (in a sense that nobody believed it).
The problem the GOP has right now is that it has no credibility to even put together a coherent message ... because it's been in power in Washington for a year, and has absolutely nothing to show for it.
“The problem the GOP has right now is that it has no credibility to even put together a coherent message ... because it’s been in power in Washington for a year, and has absolutely nothing to show for it.”
oh, it will have something to show for it when this corporate tax cut is passed. but i predict when the average middle class taxpayer finds out that this supposed tax cut isn’t what it is cracked up to be, then come the next election after they start seeing a reduced refund or having to pay more in taxes, President Trump and the repubs are going to be in trouble.
i hope this isn’t the case, but i think it’s going to be like obamacare: the albatross around their necks.
so just as the cost of obamacare was being shouldered by all the healthy young people who had to sign up or pay a fine, this tax bill is being paid for by the average middle class taxpayer for the benefit of big permanent tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. Touting this as a tax cut to all the middle class deplorables who elected Trump is the same as obama promising that you would save $2500 on your insurance premiums and could keep your doctor. This isn’t a tax cut, but a tax increase for the average American.
and where is the inclusion in the conference bill of the elimination of the mandate that people must have health insurance or pay a fine? has that been excised out, in order to buy support from some waivering congress critters?
the standard deduction is being not quite doubled [for individuals, it would go from $6,350 to $12,000, and for married joint filers, it raises that deduction from $12,700 to $24,000], but then they are eliminating the individual personal exemptions [of $4,050 per person] for yourself, your spouse and your dependents; thereby, reducing the doubled standard deductions real net worth to $7,950 for singles [a real net increase of $1,600 from existing std deduction] and to $15,900 for joint filers [a real net increase of $3,900 from the current std deduction]. A couple with 2 children will have their $24,000 doubled standard deduction reduced by $16,200 for a real net reduction of $7,800. so they give with one hand but take away with the other. in addition, they are eliminating the extra deduction for those over 65 or blind.
Now, if you take the standard deduction, you cannot then itemize; therefore, giving up the normal deductions for medical expenses, long term care insurance expenses, state and local taxes, property taxes [under the senate bill], mortgage interest deduction limits, student loan interest deductions, moving expenses, alimony, dependent care assistance accounts, casualty and theft losses, unreimbursed job expenses and tax preparation fees.