The Trump administration is reportedly talking about placing conservative initiatives on the 2018 ballot in battleground states to energize voters who might be disappointed in what a GOP-controlled Washington has done so far.
According to Politico, the plan is similar to one used in 2004, when a slate of anti-gay marriage amendments boosted GOP turnout in in 11 states, paving the way for the election of President George W. Bush.
GOP strategist Karl Rove lauded the effort after the election in remarks to The New York Times, but has denied engineering it.
In the current effort, the White House is considering initiatives involving tax reform and other economic issues to rally conservatives, Politico reported. It will be focused on red states where vulnerable Democratic senators are up for reelection next year, including Montana, North Dakota, and Missouri, according to Politico.
Spearheading the discussions is Republican strategist Gerry Gunster, who helped to lead the successful 2016, populist-infused campaign for Britain's exit from the European Union, Politico reported.
According to Politico, he has talked about the strategy with top administration aides including political director Bill Stepien and Nick Ayers, the chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence and a veteran GOP operative.
The White House has not signed off on the idea yet, however, Politico reported.
"Probably it has some effect," Steve Linder, a GOP strategist in Michigan, told Politico about the strategy. "It never hurts to have Republicans push on issues that are core to the party and that get people motivated."
Some Republicans are skeptical, however.
Jeff Flint, a Republican strategist in California who specializes in ballot initiatives, said the party would need to find an issue that tapped into voter frustration to drive turnout — and a tax cut will not do it.
"Nine times out of 10, turnout is driven by the top of the ticket," he told Politico.
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