GOP/HOUSE OF REPS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Republicans’ loss of control of the U.S. House of Representatives leaves the party with a more conservative congressional caucus that is even more bound to President Donald Trump and more united around his provocative rhetoric and hardline agenda. Although some moderate Republicans who remain in the House may view the result as an indictment of Trump’s strategy of focusing relentlessly on illegal immigration in the final stretch of the campaign, they will be a small minority. The Democrats fell short of a tidal wave of voter support that would have given them control of both chambers of Congress, but in the 435-member House they headed for a gain of around 30 to 35 seats, giving them their first majority in eight years. Many Republicans who lost were moderates from suburban-heavy districts who tried to keep some distance from Trump and his rhetoric, but lost anyway. That leaves a shrunken core dominated by conservatives from rural areas whose constituents overwhelmingly support Trump.”
–James Oliphant, “Loss of U.S. House leaves Republicans more tied to Trump than ever,” Reuters, November 6, 2018 8:50 pm