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Reuters
AUSTIN, Texas
Republicans at a conference in Texas this week had reason to feel downcast, even panicky as President Donald Trump's meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin provoked broad outrage and revived talk of a Democratic wave in November's congressional elections.
Instead, party officials voiced optimism about maintaining control of both the US Senate and House of Representatives this autumn, saying the Democratic Party's messaging and internal struggles were helping boost Republican prospects."They're their own worst enemy, and I'm very comfortable with that,"said Terry Lathan, chairwoman of the Alabama Republican Party.
In interviews with Reuters, attendees at the Republican National Committee meeting in Austin said pressure from progressives challenging the Democratic old guard following Hillary Clinton's defeat in the 2016 presidential election had forced many Democrats to adopt more left-leaning positions.
