More Republicans saying they'll block Clinton

WASHINGTON -- A new fundraising email from House Speaker Paul Ryan's political operation, over former Speaker Newt Gingrich's signature, seeks money for Republican congressional candidates by calling the appeal "our very last chance to stop Pelosi and Hillary."

Indiana Republican Trey Hollingsworth says in one TV ad he's running for Congress to stop three Democrats -- opponent Shelli Yoder, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- from imposing "higher taxes and government-run health care."

In another spot, the GOP-aligned Senate Leadership Fund attacks the Democratic Senate challenger in Missouri by saying, "It's surprising how many ways Jason Kander is just like Hillary Clinton."

With polls showing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump facing a steep path to victory, GOP candidates increasingly are seeking voters' support by saying they will check Clinton's agenda. Republicans hope a loathing for Clinton will drive voters to the polls who otherwise might stay home because of their aversion to Trump.

Yet the value of the check-and-balance tactic is questioned by both parties' strategists as voters express fatigue with gridlock and a desire Washington address problems, such as the slow-growing economy.

Democrats deride Republicans' use of the approach as ineffective and disloyal to their own nominee, and even Republicans are torn over its usefulness.

"The tightrope you walk is that assuming a Hillary win can potentially depress your base" voters' turnout, said GOP pollster Jon McHenry.

But he said with Clinton's favorability ratings nearly as low as Trump's, arguing you will prevent Clinton from getting "free rein" in Washington is "a potent argument for a lot of independents."

The reliance on the tactic comes with Republicans worried a poor Trump showing could help Democrats capture a Senate majority and erode GOP House control.

"We know the wind is in our face, that supporting Donald Trump, supporting our members of Congress, we're in a fight," House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Tuesday.

GOP pollster Robert Blizzard said the check-and-balance tactic works best if tied to issues Republican voters find emotional, like boosting taxes or expanding President Barack Obama's health care law. But he cautioned, "The easiest, most efficient, most effective way to defeat a Democratic candidate is to make that Democratic candidate unacceptable, unelectable."

Democrats say the tactic is flawed because it relies on two unlikely occurrences: Republicans repelled by Trump showing up to vote anyway, or people splitting their ticket between Clinton and a GOP congressional candidate.

"The national tide is running very strongly against down-ballot Republicans," said Democratic pollster Geoffrey Garin. "They have to try to do something to change the national narrative of the election, even if it means throwing their nominee right under the bus."

Democrats, of course, have been returning the favor big time, with President Barack Obama taking to the campaign trail to link GOP congressional candidates to Trump. The party is also running ads in numerous races making that same point.

This week, House Democrats' Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is connecting Republican candidates in five congressional races to Trump. One accuses Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., of saying nothing after Trump insulted Mexicans and the handicapped but adds, "With her career at stake, now she's running away."