Republicans lost the AI argument in 2026. We must fix it before 2028

After an election like this one, the political consultant class searches for one tidy explanation for what went wrong. There never is, and anybody who tells you a single issue cost Republicans control of Congress is selling you something.

Smart politicos can all point to inflation, turnout, candidate quality, and the old midterm curse on the party that holds the White House all playing a part. But I’d put artificial intelligence in the top five, and I think it’s the one most likely to hurt us again in 2028 if we keep pretending it’s a side issue.