If you were to ask an American their views on President Biden, the Democrats and the state of the country, the answer you most likely would hear was a dislike of the President’s handling of the country. The gas prices and inflation rising resulted in a stark polling preference for the Republicans. Back in July, Quinnipiac polling data found a ten percent polling jump for Republicans, favored at 55 percent compared to the 45 percent of the Democrats. A less scientific indication of where the midterms might fall came from the annual Congressional baseball game whose victor has been the midterm winner as well which this summer’s version was won handily by the Republicans.
The future of the midterm elections for the Democrats was looking grim but are becoming rosier. Resonating social issues such as Roe v. Wade being overturned in the Hobbs decision, policy wins such as the Inflation Reduction Act and student debt relief have buoyed the Democrats in the polls. President Biden has also seen an impact as his own approval rating has been slowly rising to 42 percent as noted by RealClear Politics (RCP) polling. Recent polling conducted found the Democratic party is closing the gap that had so many worried in July. Now both parties are polling at 44 percent according to RCP polling.
Former President Trump has also been more active of late endorsing candidates across the country in primary contents. Recent federal activity has also put him front and center in all national news casts. Ben Shapiro noted Trump’s impact on the electoral chances is actually doing more harm than good for the Republican party. President Biden also continues to focus on the former President and his supporters taking a recent speech in Philadelphia as an opportunity to denounce those who believed in the “Make America Great Again” activities. The result of all this is a boost to the Democrat’s mid-term chances as the focus has been shifted from the rising inflation, price of gas, Ukraine policy, or other domestic matters. Rather, the midterms have somehow gone backwards looking at the past.
Many on the right, including Shapiro and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel, have suggested that President Trump step aside to ensure the midterms do not become about him and stay focused on pocketbook issues. We won’t know the outcome of what is really most concerning to the American voter until Nov. 9 but it sure does seem like it could be a nail biter.