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Harrington on 2018: Republicans Can 'Own' Tax Cuts, Will Help in Midterms

February 20, 2018

Washington Free Beacon reporter Elizabeth Harrington on Tuesday argued for why Republicans should be optimistic about the midterm elections, citing tax cuts and higher wages for American workers.

Fox Business host Neil Cavuto reflected on times past presidents have passed tax cuts, saying such reform is usually viewed positively when it comes to fruition. He further commented how that appears to be the case with President Donald Trump's tax cuts.

Harrington said it's easy to see why the tax law's popularity has increased since Americans have experienced "tangible results."

"It's easy to see why they've become more popular because contrary to what Democrats told you like [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi–that the tax cuts were going to be Armageddon and people would die–Americans actually see tangible results from the tax cuts, which is not only the bonuses, but they can look at their paycheck and they see they can keep more of their own money," Harrington said.

She went on to compare the 2010 and 2018 midterms by saying Republicans stood unified against Obamacare in 2010 and won the House because it was unpopular, but in comparison, she noted Democrats are unifying against tax cuts that are popular among middle-class Americans.

"The Democrats had to own Obamacare in 2010, and it led to a wave election for Republicans. Republicans can own these tax cuts, and I think it helps them in 2018 midterms," Harrington said.

Cavuto questioned whether it would help Republicans enough to hang onto the House, noting it is "inevitable" for Republicans to lose a few seats since they are the political party in power.

"Democrats should have a natural advantage going into 2018 because Republicans have a unified government. They control everything, but in order for this to be a wave year, I think there has to be a bigger outside issue," Harrington said. "What do the Democrats have to run on? If it's only opposition to Trump, I don't think that's enough and what issues have they picked up?"

She said that Democrats are pushing the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration program and gun control, stances she noted are not widely popular with the American people.

"I think they are in a good position to pick up some seats, but how many can they pick up based on that coalition of gun control, and illegal immigration, and just anti-Trump resistance? I'm not sure it's enough for a wave election," Harrington said.