Democrats think a blue wave is building. Here are 3 forces that could stop it

Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer is sounding increasingly bullish about his party's chances of riding a potential blue wave into November, declaring Democrats have "the wind in our sails" as national and battleground polling points to a favorable political environment in the midterm elections.But beneath that confidence are three variables that could determine whether the Democratic advantage becomes a wave — or breaks before Election Day: a potential polling undercount of Republicans, persistent voter skepticism of the Democratic brand, and the GOP’s financial firepower advantage.Schumer, speaking to reporters last week as the Senate adjourned until after Election Day, predicted that Democrats are "on the edge of taking back the Senate."After nearly two years of President Donald Trump back in the White House and Republican control of the Senate and the House, Schumer emphasized, "Americans are frustrated with higher costs and a government they don’t believe is working for them."AI IS SUPERCHARGING THE CAMPAIGN AD WARS, BUT VIRAL DOESN'T MEAN VICTORIOUSSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., predicted that Democrats have "the wind in our sails" heading into this year's midterm elections.(Getty Images)The GOP is fighting political history, which has traditionally seen the party in power in Washington lose congressional seats during midterm election years.
Add to that a challenging political climate fueled by persistent inflation Americans see at the grocery store, high gas prices tied to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran, and Trump's negative approval ratings.The latest polls indicate Democrats holding an advantage over Republicans in the battle for Congress and that they are more enthusiastic to vote in the midterms.But Trump predicts that Republicans will perform much better in the midterms than critics and pollsters expect."I think we’re going to have a big surprise, because they don’t know what’s happening," the president told...