Originally published at: The Midterms Look Bad for Republicans. How Are GOP Candidates Coping? - TPM – Talking Points Memo
[Essay] Breaking Down the Different Flavors of GOP Midterms Cope It’s never a good sign when the Senate Majority Leader suggests the election prospects for his own party look grim. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) admitted in a recent interview that he believes even losing Senate control in the midterms to be a real possibility for…
Quoting Allegra Kirkland from this morning’s The Weekender –
All Aboard the Islamophobia and Red Scare Express
Some red state MAGA loyalists are playing the culture war hits, trying to keep the focus on nonexistent crises rather than any of the issues actually affecting their voters. We’re talking Sharia takeovers, communist creep, and stolen elections. As Josh Kovensky reported earlier this year, Texas Republicans Gov. Greg Abbott, who is running for reelection, and Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Senate nominee, pioneered the strategy of targeting the local Muslim community in their midterms messaging. Abbott spent the summer fighting “a proposed mosque-anchored housing development outside Dallas” and “campaigning against what he calls the imposition of Islamic law,” per The Guardian.
In contrast, Governor Josh Shapiro embraces Pennsylvania’s Muslim community.
From March 2025 –
Shapiro announces largest grant to a Muslim organization in Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA — Describing it as the “center of the universe in this community,” Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Al-Aqsa Islamic Society on Tuesday evening to announce a $5 million grant for the community center.
“I know that right now, as we’re facing, tumult overseas and we’re facing a lot of rising hate here at home, institutions are more important than ever before, and having community centers like this are more important than ever before,” Shapiro said to the room full of people sharing iftar, the meal eaten in the evening to break their Ramadan fast.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant is the largest grant in the history of the commonwealth given to a Muslim organization, according to Shapiro’s office. The expansion will result in 12 new classrooms, a gym, and more spaces to bring the community together.
Asif Hussain, Chairman of the Board of Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, says the goal is to have an “academic center of excellence” in the school, Al-Aqsa Academy. Currently, he said the K-12 school has about 300 students and they have a wait list as the community has grown in recent years.
“The idea would be to have a primary, secondary, and high school all in one building, and for students who are enrolled in primary education to stay for graduation, and this become a very important part of their development and their future endeavors,” Hussain said. He added the school currently has a 100% college placement rate and he would “love to see” 3,000 students enrolled.
[…]
Shapiro said at the governor’s residence recently, he heard from members of the Muslim community expressing “fear because of the policies and the approach of the Trump administration.”
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) night, I’ll be hosting an iftar at the governor’s residence, and I expect that will come up in conversation,” Shapiro added. “It does in nearly every room I’m in, especially with the Muslim community.”
Shapiro described it as a “moment” where he thinks communities are “fearful of the federal government.”
“And that’s deeply concerning to me, and I want the Muslim community to know that they are welcome here in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “They are warmly embraced in Pennsylvania, that I’ve got their back and I’m going to protect them.”
Some people may be skeptical, and I understand that. Shapiro is young and definitely keeps at least one eye on the White House, though even when he was PA’s AG he had a good relationship with the Muslim community.
4 Likes
So do you think Trump’s inner circle convinced him he should ban the media outlets in order to keep him out of the media in the run up the election?
4 Likes
Is America ready for a Jewish for president?
2 Likes
To begin with I would prefer a rational sane person grounded in civility, inclusion and equality among people. That’s as a starter. Then other values for that potential president.
4 Likes
I cannot imagine trump wanting , voluntarily, to keep himself out of coverage for the good of his party.
2 Likes
3 Likes
I don’t know.
I do know that Josh Shapiro and Zohran Mamdani have spoken a few times.
From last November after Mamdani won the NYC mayoral election –
This past March –
The two men do not agree on everything, but they both do know that continued dialogue and conversations are important and necessary.
2 Likes
Separated at birth?
3 Likes
GOPers should be all in; to do otherwise would be antisemitic!
1 Like
Light weekend for Heather & Paul. (Tim may have another Kharkiv Meditation later):
2 Likes
"It’s never a good sign when the Senate Majority Leader suggests the election prospects for his own party look grim. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) admitted in a recent interview that he believes even losing Senate control in the midterms to be a real possibility for the GOP, saying, “I worry about that, for sure.” "
… … … … … … …
It won’t happen but my fantasy would be seeing 67 democrats elected to Senate seats. And then an impeachment conviction for one donald j trump and his banishment to Mar-a-Lago there to stew in his own juices.
The Senate will continue to ignore what it should do. Cut their paychecks and maybe they’d pay attention.
2 Likes
A chance for an end of “trump’s war”, an open Strait of Hormuz which would result in lower fuel bills world wide and easing of the current economic mess the US is in and a potentially soaring stock market resulting in major income boons for the already wealty billionaires…
Trump rejected it
4 Likes
I am going to be an election judge in Chicago on November 3. My party affiliation was randomly assigned and, for the third time, am a “Republican.” (Which is hilarious), but in Chicago it’s hard to find anyone declaring it in advance). I expect turnout to be massive, since Illinois has many interesting races: governor, senator, and my local U.S. representative. While Democrats will win, the question is whether in a safe blue area voters will be enthusiastic to reject the fascist MAGA party.
I hope so.
6 Likes
No clue, must ponder.
First thing that popped into my mind? ‘America’, the collective gerrymandered electorate, might be more ready for a Jewish president than it would be ready for a woman president. Predictive value of said hunch? Probably nil. It’s the weekend.
1 Like
He desperately craves worshipful coverage that lauds his greatness and his name and praises his architecture and design skills. Getting really hard to come by as 2026 wears on.
2 Likes
In 6 weeks we’re going to know if Trump goes full fascist. This would be the time.
I have been saving money in case I have to leave the country for my own safety.
If Trump screws this election and goes banana republic, then it is 10 years at least of darkness over the American Experiment.
Fascism is a reflection of the concentration of money. Turns out unlimited money in government favored…the wealthy.
Now I’m feeling “gerrymandered”. (Checks Band-aid stash).