The affordability election that teaches Democrats nothing

Republicans have a trust problem on affordability, and Democrats are poised to inherit it.

If Democrats do as well tonight as polls suggest, everyone knows the two reasons why: affordability and President Donald Trump.

For a year now, The POLITICO Poll has consistently found that half of Americans rank the cost of living as one of their top three issues — and in a series of surveys this month, most Democratic voters say their vote is more about Trump than the candidates on the ballot.

But our polling also reveals the challenges for a Democratically-controlled Congress.

Democrats have opened up a strong advantage on affordability, but voters who are demanding action may quickly turn on a party that finds itself torn between competing priorities.Much of the Democratic coalition is approaching the midterms as a referendum on Trump, meaning a victory tonight would offer few clear lessons about what should come next.

Democratic voters’ two biggest demands — drive down the cost of living and stop Trump — can also conflict, especially when it comes time to govern.

Asked to choose between passing bipartisan legislation to reduce the cost of living or avoid giving the Trump administration any wins, Democrats are not united.

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