N. Peter Kramer’s Weekly Column
Not even the most optimistic Democrat had dared to hope that they could achieve a result as this. They won control of both Houses of Congress by scoring victories in places that had long been considered reliable Republican strongholds. It would have been remarkable for Democrats to win in either Iowa or Ohio , possibly Texas or Kansas. To win all four of these states is stunning. The scale of the Democratic victory allowed their win to be declared before midnight in the US.
There is no mystery why this happened. American voters are angry about the cost of living and blame President Trump for that. Believing it was his decision to go to war with Iran and his trade tariffs that pushed up prices. Probably, Barack Obama, the last president who lost both Houses in midterm elections, did understand Trump’s feelings last night. For him the culprit was Obamacare.
The Democratic victory delivers a major rebuke to Trump’s leadership. He is called now the ‘lame’ President. The Democratic majorities in House and Senate can block him. But, on the other hand, the president can veto Congress decisions. And Trump could concentrate on areas where he can flex his presidential muscles without being blocked by Congress, particularly foreign policy. The president leads US military force and has control over tariffs and trade deals. Listening to experts, you hear, that they don’t expect major foreign policy changes. A change in the approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, war in the Middle East, trade conflicts and future US participation in NATO is unlikely, they say. Better not too much enthusiasm in Europe.
