Many of 15 Republican lawmakers interviewed by Politico said Trump's sway over Congress could fade if the GOP loses Tuesday. Most spoke on condition of anonymity.
Why it matters: Only about a third of GOP senators face voters again while Trump is in office. The rest run in 2030 or 2032.
Where they split: Republicans disagree on whether Trump stays dominant after a loss, as Sen. John Barrasso insists, or loses leverage, as anonymous lawmakers predict.
Center coverage, 9 sources: The center presents the anonymous doubts alongside on-record defenses of Trump's continued standing in the party.
Left coverage, 15 sources: The left sees a party bracing for a broad loss and a president whose grip on Republicans is slipping.
Right coverage, 13 sources: The right focuses on campaign strategy, citing former Trump aide Marc Short's view that Republicans are essentially in triage.
What’s next: House Republicans hold leadership races the week after the election.
