In..before..the..hand..slap...
No, that's NOT the reason they are behind in the polls and in danger of becoming the first party in a long time NOT to make any gains during the opposing President's first midterm.
It's because Republicans, after almost 5 decades, they have
NOTHING. No fresh policy initiatives, no new ideas, no plans to do ANYTHING to help the working voter.
They have sunk into the black hole of culture wars, division, and conspiracy theories. The majority of voters see Republicans for the whack jobs they've become.
THAT's why they're behind in the polls.