VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: The deep midterms

Conservative commentator Victor Davis Hanson writes that voters face a "deep" midterm election in less than three weeks that represents a fundamental conflict of visions: socialism versus capitalism and the preservation or destruction of American institutions. Hanson describes the choice as one between "Islamist-sympathizing socialism" and "free-market capitalism and American exceptionalism."

Hanson notes historical data showing the president's party has gained House seats in only three of 31 midterms since 1900, and acknowledges President Donald Trump's approval rating is below 40 percent with gasoline prices at $4.33. He argues Democrats have no agenda beyond opposing Trump and plan to spend two years impeaching and investigating the administration if they win the House.

Regarding the 33-week Iran war, Hanson contends the U.S. has nearly destroyed the Iranian theocratic apparatus and nuclear infrastructure at relatively low cost. He argues an enfeebled Iran would no longer threaten Europe or North America or fund terrorist proxies including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, and that economic policies in place should fuel a boom when the war ends and gas prices drop.

Hanson contrasts this with what he describes as the Democratic plan to withdraw from Iran, rely on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to guarantee free passage in the Strait of Hormuz, and accept the Iranian regime's word that it will cease threatening Gulf states and Israel. He also cites more than 2 million Americans fleeing "the blue-state socialist model" annually as evidence of voter dissatisfaction.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal