Today marks the unofficial start of the campaign for the midterm elections. This year’s midterms will be the first major referendum on the Biden era of government — and a test of how much voters want to reinstall the Trump wing of the Republican Party.On today’s episode, Astead W. Herndon, a political reporter and the host of our new podcast, “The Run-Up,” offers a guide to the campaign. He’ll explore the forces at play in this election and how we arrived at such a fraught moment in American politics.Background reading: Listen to the premiere of "The Run-Up," a podcast dedicated to the 2022 midterms.Democratic leaders, once beaten down by the prospect of a brutal midterm election in the fall, sense a shift in the political winds. But it may not be enough.Heading into 2022, Republicans were confident of a red wave. But now some are signaling concern that the referendum they anticipated on President Biden is being complicated by former President Donald Trump.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Politics reporter Astead Herndon offers a guide to the campaign for the midterm elections, the first major referendum on the Biden era of government and a test of how much voters want to reinstall the Trump wing of the Republican Party.
The Democrats had some big wins with the climate bill and student loan forgiveness, but there were concerns about the impact it would have on the midterms. However, with their focus on targeting inflation and the economy, they hope to convince swing voters that they are responsible fiscal stewards.
The Texas Abortion Law has implications for the 2022 elections, where Democrats could gain an advantage from the changes benefiting minorities and working-class communities. Moreover, the election could revolve around the issue of abortion, causing a departure from earlier trends of the issue being a Republican voter's motivating factor.
Biden's inaugural speech was a culmination of his journey and that of the Democratic Party in figuring out how to deal with Trump and what this means for unity. The Republicans too, have been hit by the change in candidates, as pointed out by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.
President Biden sees MAGA supporters as a threat to democracy and American values, and the escalation of this belief may result in Republicans taking back control of the House on a MAGA message, which could have severe implications for democracy.
Liz Truss will become the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, inheriting economic and energy crises. As foreign secretary, Truss campaigned on a platform of tax cuts and loyalty to Boris Johnson.