House Majority Whip Discusses GOP Strategy and September 11 Reflections
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer from Minnesota participated in an interview on Breitbart News Saturday after the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. He shared insights on how the GOP plans to maintain control of the House, talked about campaign spending and voter turnout, offered thoughts on the ideological shifts within the Democratic Party, and reflected on the significance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
In a discussion with Breitbart News Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle, Emmer expressed optimism about Republican enthusiasm ahead of the elections. He noted that the convention displayed significant energy among party members. “This midterm convention, an idea from Donald Trump, was meant to showcase Republican vigor. And there’s a lot of it,” he remarked.
He also took aim at the media’s portrayal of the Trump administration’s economic achievements, arguing that coverage often overlooks positive developments, including the latest job numbers featuring well-paying, benefits-rich positions in technology and manufacturing.
Reflecting on the turnout at the Dallas convention, Emmer described the venue as “absolutely packed,” recalling that there were just as many people outside the American Airlines Arena as there were at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Emmer emphasized that the event underscored what Republicans see as successes of the Trump presidency while also highlighting the importance of voter turnout, stating, “Quite frankly, communism is on the ballot.” He mentioned that Trump is pushing for increased Republican voting, emphasizing that success hinges on turnout.
When pressed about how the GOP can keep control of the House, Emmer urged cautious optimism about polling, explaining that it’s vital to look for trends rather than fixate on numbers. “You can’t rely on polls. You look for trends in polls,” he asserted.
Continuing, he laid out a straightforward plan: securing current Republican seats is essential for success. “The cheapest seat to win is the one you already hold,” he mentioned, pointing out competitive areas in states like Pennsylvania, Iowa, New York, New Jersey, and California.
Emmer also painted a picture of how Republicans could offset potential losses from redistricting in places like California and Utah by winning elsewhere. For instance, “You’re already making up one in Maine. You’re going to win Maine, so now you’re a negative four,” he explained while listing potential wins in Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana.
He indicated that these calculations didn’t factor in other gaining opportunities in states such as Texas, Florida, New Mexico, and Washington State. “So that’s how you do it,” he concluded. “You keep what you’ve got, and then you build in places like Florida, in Texas, New Mexico, and Washington State.”
Emmer dismissed the notion that the outcome of the House elections has already been decided, noting forecasts showing over 200 safe seats for each party. “At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to about — well, they’ll say 21 seats that are in play,” he said, suggesting it could be more like 10 to 15 and too close to call.
On the subject of campaign finances, Emmer highlighted that Trump-aligned groups are gearing up to invest significantly in House and Senate seats, mentioning Elon Musk as a notable Republican supporter. “We do have money to win these races, and we’ve got allies like President Trump and Elon Musk and others that are doing their job to make sure that they hold the House,” he stated.
Additionally, he pointed out that statewide races might drive higher turnout in congressional elections, specifically citing Texas and Iowa. “We have never seen this kind of parity between Republican and Democrat spending,” he remarked.
Shifting focus, the discussion moved to the influence of democratic socialists within the Democratic Party. Emmer rejected the label, arguing there’s nothing democratic about socialism, asserting, “They are communist. They’re flat-out Marxist communists and/or anarchists.”
He accused Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed of troubling associations and underscored the need for Republicans to continue “sounding the alarm.” Emmer also referenced Ayn Rand, emphasizing that both socialism and communism pursue power over people, albeit through different means.
Emmer expressed criticism of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez regarding their behavior during September 11 memorial events. He described their actions as “pathetic,” and argued that their behavior illustrates the political divide. “There’s nothing democratic about socialism. I wish we would just call them what they are,” he insisted.
He warned that if the left gains power, they will target not just Trump but broader society. “If they are given the gavels, get ready. They’re coming after you,” he cautioned.
Concluding the conversation, Boyle asked Emmer to share thoughts on the anniversary of September 11 and the lessons for younger Americans. Emmer underscored the importance of understanding history, mentioning the Holocaust and the September 11 attacks. “Those who do not know history are bound to repeat it,” he stated, acknowledging the shortcomings in how American history is taught.
He wrapped up by urging Americans to appreciate the sacrifices made for their freedoms and to actively vote in the upcoming election. “You got to defend freedom,” Emmer insisted, encouraging participation on November 3 by voting for Republican candidates. “We got to get back to work teaching our young people about our history and why this country is so special,” he emphasized, again highlighting the necessity of knowing history.
