Story highlights Some party operatives see all the Russia talk as a distraction

The GOP's push to repeal the Affordable Care Act is easier to explain

Washington (CNN) Democrats are watching President Donald Trump's approval rating drop as bombshell after bombshell drops in the Russia investigation -- and Trump's potential attempts to intervene in it.

But as the party ramps up its efforts to take control of the House and hold onto a spate of red-state Senate seats in the 2018 midterm elections, some operatives see all the Russia talk as a distraction from an even more potent campaign issue: Health care.

Even those following the Russia probe's twists and turns closely say the GOP's push to repeal the Affordable Care Act is easier to explain and matters more to moderates and working-class voters that Democrats need to win back.

"I would encourage all of our candidates to make sure that health care stays front and center of the election," said Guy Cecil, the chairman of the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA.

"The visceral, gut reaction that people have makes it more powerful than Russia," he said.

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