How Trump’s Iran War And Rising Gas Prices Threaten Republican Midterm Plans

TL;DR

Rising gas prices from the Iran war are giving Democrats a midterm weapon if the conflict drags on past summer.

Key Points

• 1.Gas prices jumped $0.50–$0.60 since the Iran bombing due to Strait of Hormuz blockades, with only 29% of Americans supporting the war per a Reuters-Ipsos poll.
• 2.Republicans are defending the cost by arguing prices are still over $1 lower than under Biden and calling the spike temporary, betting the war ends quickly.
• 3.If the war extends into August–October, Democrats plan to tie high gas prices and military casualties directly to Republicans in midterm messaging.