The Daily A User's Guide to the Midterm Elections
8 snips
Sep 6, 2022 
Astead W. Herndon, a political reporter for The New York Times and host of "The Run-Up," dives into the complex landscape of the midterm elections. He discusses how these elections serve as a referendum on the Biden administration and the influence of Trumpism on the GOP. The conversation explores shifts in voter sentiment, particularly around key issues like abortion, and the impact of President Biden's recent legislative wins. Astead also highlights Democrats' strategies to mobilize crucial voter demographics in a rapidly changing political climate.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Midterm Elections as Referendum
- Midterm elections serve as a referendum on the current presidential administration and Congress.
- They offer the opposing party a chance to regain power after a presidential loss.
Republican Advantages
- Republicans hold a structural advantage due to gerrymandered House districts.
- Democrats' slim majority in Congress leaves them with little margin for error.
Initial Challenges for Democrats
- Several factors initially suggested a difficult midterm election for Democrats, including Biden's low approval rating, high inflation, and gas prices.
- A sense of unmet expectations from the 2020 election further compounded these challenges.