As Hegseth’s public standing sinks, Democrats make him part of their midterm message

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has become unusually prominent for a Pentagon chief, and Democrats heading into the midterms are trying to use his poor standing against Republican candidates. MS NOW commentator Steve Benen argues that Hegseth's record is one of obvious failure, and polling suggests the public agrees. A CNN survey put his approval at 34 percent, about where President Donald Trump sits, with weaker backing among Republicans than other senior administration figures. Quinnipiac University found 32 percent approving and 57 percent disapproving. Before the war with Iran began, his net rating was 9 points negative; by mid-September it was 25 points negative.

The New York Times reports that, with the Iran war unpopular, Democrats are casting Hegseth as a central figure in their closing campaign arguments. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told a rally that a Democratic majority would move quickly to push Hegseth out. Candidates with military backgrounds have been especially vocal. Leela Gray, who is challenging Representative Anna Paulina Luna in Florida, called him an "unqualified frat boy." Cait Conley is running against Representative Mike Lawler in New York, and JoAnna Mendoza against Representative Juan Ciscomani in Arizona.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →