GOP panics Trump could cost them '60 to 70 seats' over Iran war

House Republicans are growing scared of the prospect of President Donald Trump deploying ground troops in Iran — warning that such an expansion of an already-unpopular war would send their party into midterm freefall.

According to Politico, "Nearly every GOP lawmaker has voted to green-light Trump’s military campaign. But a growing number, including some veterans, are voicing new reservations as evidence mounts that Trump could escalate the war to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, secure Iran’s nuclear stockpile or accomplish other strategic goals."

Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), normally a loyal vote for the president, told Politico, “I’m really, really hopeful this doesn’t turn into a boots-on-the-ground situation. My biggest concern this whole time is that this would turn into another long Middle Eastern war.” Another GOP lawmaker anonymously said if Trump sends ground troops, “we lose 60 to 70 seats.”

Trump is under heavy pressure to secure the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil passes, and which Iran has effectively shut down in response to U.S. hostilities. The president initially responded to the shutdown and the rapid escalation of global oil prices with threats to take out Iran's energy infrastructure.

Meanwhile, according to Politico, Democrats are strategizing on how best to handle the situation.

"Senior House Democrats are making plans to force another vote on a resolution that would restrict U.S. military action in Iran. But they’ve delayed it until the House returns from recess in mid-April given absences in their ranks and the need to secure more GOP support after a similar measure narrowly failed earlier this month," said the report. "House Democratic leaders have been working to flip a handful of Democrats who opposed the last war powers resolution and now believe they only need one more Republican to flip to yes at this point, according to three people granted anonymity to speak freely about private conversations."