[Recording Start]
Rick Rosner: We are 99 days away from the 2022 midterm elections in America, which hold comparable importance to the 2020 election that was pivotal in removing Trump from office. The current political climate remains tense, with Trumpian forces still active. If Republicans gain control of both the House and the Senate, they might not pass many laws due to Biden’s veto power, but they can still inflict significant damage. They could halt further legislative progress in safeguarding democratic processes. Currently, Republicans are unabashedly tampering with voting mechanics, with many powerful figures content with election results that do not reflect the popular will, having already enacted laws in several states to this end.
According to the poll aggregator 538.com, the odds are stacked against the Democrats: a mere 17% chance of retaining the House and a slightly better 56% chance of keeping the Senate, which they currently hold by a slim margin. Thus, the overall probability of Democrats maintaining control of both the House and the Senate is about 17%, a concerning statistic. The country’s trajectory could worsen considerably if Republicans seize both chambers. Fortunately, some Republican candidates, like Herschel Walker, pose their own challenges. Walker, a former football player who might have suffered brain damage, is prone to incoherent statements and has a history of violence. He’s running against a well-spoken Democratic Reverend, which offers some hope, especially as Walker continues to make gaffes.
Dr. Oz’s candidacy for Senator in Pennsylvania, despite not residing there, is another example. He faces John Fetterman, a strong Democratic contender who consistently highlights Oz’s shortcomings. These factors, alongside Biden’s low approval ratings, complicate the Republicans’ path to a significant electoral advantage, even though the party out of power typically gains seats in midterms.
Recent events, like Biden overseeing the elimination of Al Qaeda’s leader, might help Democrats. However, they need to significantly improve their performance in the next 14 weeks to retain the House. The fluctuating gas prices also play a role in public opinion. While Republicans capitalized on rising prices to lower Biden’s approval, they’ve been silent about the recent decrease in prices. The coming weeks will show if Biden and the Democrats can enhance their performance and messaging strategy.
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Authors
Rick Rosner
American Television Writer
Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Founder, In-Sight Publishing
In-Sight Publishing
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