Episode 965: The Winston Group on the 2026 Midterm Elections

·34 min·3 clips

Newt Gingrich doubts the Iran truce, fearing they'll control the Strait of Hormuz and keep nuclear material.

Newt Gingrich begins the episode by expressing doubt about a recent truce with Iran, highlighting concerns over control of the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear material, and ballistic missiles. He then introduces guests Dave Winston and Myra Miller of the Winston Group to discuss the 2026 midterm elections. Winston explains that the election will center on whether the 'Biden economy' has been fixed, citing 21% cumulative inflation under Biden. Miller adds that voters want prices to roll back, not just inflation to slow, and notes the impact of wage-price gaps. They explore how the Iran conflict might affect gas prices and buy time for the Trump administration. The conversation shifts to Republican communication failures, with Winston pointing out that Democrats effectively celebrate the Affordable Care Act annually, while Republicans neglect to promote their tax cuts. Miller mentions that many voters were unaware of specific tax cut benefits, like the standard deduction increase. Gingrich critiques Republican tendencies to be honest but poor communicators compared to Democrats. Winston analyzes the Democratic Party's current state, noting high unfavorables and a reliance on anti-Trump messaging. Miller discusses the rise of independents, who comprised 34% of the electorate in 2024, and their swing potential in elections. They examine historical examples, such as the 2010 and 2018 midterms, to illustrate independent voter impact. The guests provide strategic advice for Republicans, emphasizing the need for clear economic messaging and independent voter outreach. They also preview Senate races, mentioning challenges in states like Maine and North Carolina. Gingrich concludes by thanking his guests and suggesting a future discussion.

As heard by us

A clear look at how taxes, healthcare, and jobs messaging can define an election's main story.

Newt's World treats campaign strategy as a practical test: when one issue takes over an election, are Republicans actually ready to meet voters there?

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Why you'd press play

You want a measured seat at the table as one election issue starts crowding out everything else, beginning with the standard deduction.

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