US midterms: Democrats better than expected

After the Democrats' unexpectedly strong showing in the U.S. midterm elections, there was reason to celebrate at the White House. The President of the United States, Joe Biden, declared that his party won the election. In his first speech at the White House after the midterm elections, Biden noted that "Democrats had a strong night." Given the party affiliation of conservatives, the media and opinion leaders had predicted a "big red wave," which is what a presumed landslide victory by Republicans would have been called. The U.S. president added, "And that didn't happen."

He praised Tuesday's midterm congressional elections as "excellent for democracy" and "good for America."

Biden acknowledged, however, that not all voters agree with the direction the nation is taking. "Moreover, voters have shown their continuing frustration. I recognize that," he said. But he also said he sees no reason to significantly change any aspect of his administration.

At the same time, he reiterated his desire to work with opposition Republicans. The 79-year-old Democrat said he was open to conceding on a wide range of issues. "The future of America is too bright to get caught up in endless political conflict."

He did, however, threaten to veto any Republican bill that would undermine health care or ban abortion nationwide. After the election, he expressed hope that they would continue to work together to support Ukraine, Biden said.

Democrats led by U.S. Vice President Biden exceeded expectations in the midterm elections, halting a winning streak by opposition Republicans. A final decision on the future distribution of power between the two chambers has not yet been made. Before the election, the Democrats had a narrow majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

For the Republicans, a slight majority in the House of Representatives is emerging, but they are still far from their goals. No winner has been announced yet.

It could be a few more weeks before it is clear which party will have control of the Senate, where it is currently a tight race. That's because Georgia requires a runoff election on Dec. 6 after a close race between the Democratic and Republican candidates.

After Georgia, the only remaining results were from Nevada and Arizona, where absentee ballots were still being tallied. Here, Republicans won 49 to 48. Both parties now hold 50 seats in the Senate, and Vice President Kamala Harris has the opportunity to break a tie by voting for the Democrats.

The election is a devastating setback for Donald Trump, Biden's predecessor in office, even if the final result is not obvious at first. Because of high inflation and Biden's abysmal poll numbers, Republicans had expected a landslide, dubbed a "red wave." This would have helped Trump ahead of his imminent launch of a resurgent presidential campaign.

Leading Republicans conceded as early as election night that a predicted "red tsunami" in the congressional election had not materialized. Mehmet Oz, a Trump supporter who ran for Senate in Pennsylvania, among other races, lost a crucial election to Democrat John Fetterman.

But President Biden's second term is heavily weighed down by the threat of losing the House majority. That could allow Republicans to virtually halt Democratic legislative proposals.

Former President Trump said his Republicans will have a "great" election night. On the Truth Social platform he co-founded, Trump wrote that the majority of the candidates he supported won in the presumptive midterm elections. Who has ever done better, he asked.

Indeed, well-known Trump supporters have done poorly or trailed in close races. He has supported candidates who have done best where Republican approval is already high. According to a CNN report, the right-wing populist allegedly "yelled" at staffers following the results of the midterm elections.

Trump also witnessed Ron DeSantis, a candidate from his own party, win the Florida governor's race. The right-leaning hardliner received more than 60% of the vote, solidifying his position as a rising star among Republicans. In 2024, DeSantis could face off against Trump for the Republican nomination.

Asked if he would run again in 2024, Trump's successor Joe Biden said he would make that decision early next year. In a speech at the White House, Biden said, "My goal is to run again." But he said it will "ultimately be a family decision."

The 79-year-old added that he is "in no hurry" to make a decision. He said he expects to make a decision early next year, after talking with his wife, Jill.