Almost a week has passed and we still don’t know who will control the House of Representatives. However, we have enough results for the two political parties to learn some lessons from the 2022 midterm elections.
Unexpected performance for the Democrats
You’ve been told I don’t know how often midterm elections are typically an opportunity to sanction the party that holds the White House. With President Biden’s satisfaction rating fluctuating between 39% and 41%, many observers were expecting the worst.
However, the current government will be able to argue that it is one of those that has come out on top in this exercise. Since 1946, the presidential party has lost an average of 27 seats in the chamber. If the president’s popularity rating is below 50%, that average rises to 37 seats.
Joe Biden and his troops have bet heavily on issues such as abortion and the protection of democracy. If we consider the importance of women’s votes and the defeats of several Trumpists and/or conspirators, their strategy has borne fruit.
Another fairly gratifying sign: the Democrats appear to have managed to limit losses within the Spanish-speaking electorate. Before a worrying Florida Ron DeSantis result, there are some notable wins in Texas.
Prepare a stylish exit for Biden
By analyzing voter comments as they exited the polling station, website The Hill highlighted a small shadow in a series of encouraging data for Democrats. 67% of respondents wish Joe Biden would not run for President in 2024.
I’m one of those people who believe the 46th President has a record to be proud of. Despite divisions among his troops, he managed to sign important laws with his signature. At the international level, the allies are happy to find a committed and stable interlocutor.
On the eve of his 80th birthday, however, Biden can no longer inspire confidence. The perception his fellow citizens have of him is that of a man of the past. Also, whether they do well or not, if the Republicans manage to take the House, the next two years will be tough.
Joe Biden entered politics at 29 and sat in the Senate until Barack Obama made him his vice president in 2008. He served his country long despite numerous family and personal tragedies. It’s time he retired with honor.
So the Democrats have two years to find a successor, and time is of the essence. When I despair, when I see Kamala Harris coming out of her torpor, we can still hope for great things from Pete Buttigieg, Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom, Roy Cooper or Catherine Cortez Masto.
