Whatever else they do, these midterm elections will calibrate the discord.
Now there will be voter numbers to measure acrimony in America, a country on the verge of a nervous breakdown since 2020.
Division has hardened since the end of the Trump era and will now be hardwired into the legislature – with election deniers and conspiracy theorists potentially in key positions of authority and influence.
Results counted in the US – live updates
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It raises questions of political subversion and even violence around these elections – much will depend on how people act and react to the vote.
It could get messy if election-denying candidates are selected. If they are not, what they do then?
There is no evidence to support election fraud but that hasn’t muted Donald Trump. The flagbearer for election deniers has endorsed many of them – and when “the candidate” himself makes his much-anticipated announcement next Tuesday, he will do so with the blessing of his base.
US midterms latest: Dozens of races too close to call; Biden and Trump react; where Republicans are performing well
US midterm elections live: Who’s ahead… and who’s behind? Check the latest results from the US
Joe Biden’s career hangs in the balance – while Donald Trump is all smiles and signature clenched fists
Before the polls opened, Joe Biden said he thought the Democrats would win the Senate. He has to believe it. If he loses both chambers of Congress, he will be a lame duck president – hamstrung by his political opponents.
It would raise questions over the Democrats’ election strategy – why the laser focus on a threat to democracy, when surveys showed people had other priorities?
Who’s ahead… and who’s behind? The latest results
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Look at Biden’s popularity – historically low. Look at his age – historically high.
An NBC exit poll found that most people think Joe Biden’s policies are hurting the county.
A bad night for the Democrats will inform Biden’s thinking about whether to run for a second term in office. Double defeat could determine the extent of his party’s input.
