This is how we take the Senate.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) is eight points behind her Democratic rival, Gov. Maggie Hassan, in a race that could determine whether Republicans will retain control of the Senate, according to a poll from WMUR and the University of New Hampshire released Thursday.
The poll, which was conducted between Oct. 11 and 17, shows 38 percent of respondents would vote for Ayotte if the election were held today, compared with 46 percent for Hassan. Ayotte’s favorability rating also dropped to 39 percent, down from 47 percent in February. Her sharp decline in support is the latest sign that the unpopularity of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump could put Republican control in Congress in serious jeopardy.
For anyone who doesn’t recall, days after the now-infamous Trump/Billy Bush tape was leaked, Ayotte was asked whether she would hold out Donald Trump as a role model. “Absolutely," she said.
She later walked—actually, ran-- the statement back, after the full extent of Trump’s penchant for groping and belittling women became evident.
Which is understandable. We all can become disillusioned by our role models. Even ones for whom we have reiterated our support a total of 35 times, at least. Sometimes we just have to look for new role models.
It seems that the people of the great State of New Hampshire have become equally disillusioned by Trump’s prospects as a role model:
Trump is trailing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by 15 points in New Hampshire, according to a WMUR poll released Wednesday.
That poll was taken during the same time frame as the Senate poll.
The loss of a role model can be distressing and we shouldn’t minimize its impact. Wikipedia even provides a helpful definition of “role model" that may assist the Senator in her search:
A role model is a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.[1] The term "role model" is credited to sociologist Robert K. Merton, who coined the phrase during his career.[2][3] Merton hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires.[4
Role models for women, in particular, have been shown to be quite influential in their professional development:
Role models show significant effects on female students' self-confidence in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields.
So who can the Senator look to as a new role model?
She might want to start with the most admired woman in the country.