Aug 11, 2016
Donald Trump has tried to calm tensions with the Republican Party
this week by endorsing House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senator John McCain
and Senator Susan Collins. But while these endorsements appear as a
move toward unity, it's not clear whether these Republican
candidates actually want Trump's endorsement, as evidenced by
Collins's refusal to support Trump. If disaffected Republicans like
Collins stay home, this could spell trouble for downticket races.
What kind of effect will these endorsements - and Trump's campaign
in general - have on the House and the Senate? Could Trump have
inverse coattails, and drag other candidates down? How does
gerrymandering complicate this? And how could third-party
candidates like Evan McMullin, who joined the race this week,
influence the election? Could McMullin give reluctant Republicans a
reason to turn out - and help save downticket candidates in the
process? Professors Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang discuss this and
more in episode seven of Politics & Polls.