House Democrats project midterm optimism following State of the Union

House Democrats rallied as if they were on the verge of victory when they gathered in Northern Virginia on Wednesday for their annual policy retreat.

“House Democrats are on the verge of taking over. The break is over for these MAGA extremists,” Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DY) said at the leadership press conference that launched the retreat. “It’s over because people know that Donald Trump and House Republicans have failed the American people.”

Jeffries and his Democratic colleagues pushed for this Congress while House Republicans held a slim majority. They see a return to power in this year’s midterm elections by focusing on affordability and the economy, issues they say Trump has largely neglected.

Much of the three-day policy retreat focuses on cost of living issues. Guests include labor union leaders, representatives from the Black Economic Alliance and the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a former member of the House of Representatives. Democratic rebuttal Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

Democrats will use their time away from the Capitol to sharpen their message to voters and unite around themes they think will resonate with ordinary Americans.

“Does the President work for you?” Spanberger asked this question in his speech, which revealed that Trump’s policies are hurting average Americans.

D-Wash., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the man responsible for leading his party to take control of the House of Representatives. “This is the defining contrast of the midterm elections. Republicans are keeping their promises to cut costs, while Democrats are focusing on lowering costs for hard-working families just trying to get by,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene.

But victory is far from guaranteed. Trump and Republicans are taking their own aggressive steps on affordability. They also have a cash advantage this cycle.

They offered a number of election proposals, such as voter ID requirements and changes to mail voting -Democrats say this could disenfranchise millions. With the Supreme Court’s pending decision on a challenge to part of the Voting Rights Act, if upheld. Could eliminate some Democratic-controlled districtsRepublicans are not out of contention in November, either.

Still, there are reasons for Democrats’ optimism. Recent polls show that many Americans have cooled down on Trump. Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll It turned out that 60 percent disapprove of the president. Democrats maintained a healthy lead public vote. They also need to pick up just three seats to flip the House.

“President Trump wants to take over the elections. He will continue to tweet and issue executive orders. He and Republican governors may do other inappropriate things that will affect our elections,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif.

“What we can control is delivering a message that will resonate with people. That’s what we’re focused on,” Aguilar said. he said.