Republicans and Democrats Are Finally Ready to Talk About Their Biggest Weaknesses

Reproductive rights and immigration have long been tough issues for politicians. This year, they plan to tackle them directly.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a visit to the southern.
President Joe Biden visited the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a push for stricter immigration legislation. Evan Vucci/AP

Republicans are talking directly about reproductive rights. Democrats are talking tough about the border. And both parties say their new, more aggressive message is meant to correct a mistake made during the 2022 midterms.

How well each party executes its newfound approach could go a long way toward determining which controls Congress and the White House next year.

Both abortion and immigration hurt Republicans and Democrats at the ballot box in 2022, according to political strategists from both parties, in part because each preferred to talk about more politically favorable subjects rather than tackle the issues head-on.