Former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) on Sunday poured cold water on her own party’s chances in the 2026 midterm elections, invoking a particularly grim (reported) line from a Republican operative.
During a panel discussion on MS NOW’s “The Weekend,” Comstock weighed in on two recent reports about the GOP’s midterm prospects: an Axios scoop about a Senate Republican pollster whose optimistic forecast was reportedly dismissed at a GOP retreat as “delusional,” and a report that Donald Trump is resorting to holding a rally in deep-red Alabama in October amid fears that Republicans could be absolutely battered in the polls, even in traditionally safe seats.
“I think elections are won in the summer. And we’re now here in late September,” said Comstock, who left Congress in 2019. “Donald Trump did everything he could to help Republicans lose over the summer,” she continued, citing his unpopular Iran war, the resulting soaring gas prices, and rising interest rates.
Comstock recalled a remark she said an unnamed GOP operative made after Senate Majority Leader John Thune campaigned in Georgia with Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins, who, she noted, “is double digits behind” Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in polling.
“We’re trying to make the patient comfortable,” the operative said, according to Comstock, who suggested Trump’s planned Alabama rally reflected the same mindset.
“I think we’re trying to make the patient comfortable by sending Donald Trump to Alabama,” she added.
Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross quipped: “America’s already on life support, so I don’t know how comfortable these patients can get.”