Is this the beginning of Biden’s 2024 re-election campaign?
As the Democrats secure the Senate for another two years, the White House has made its strongest indication to date that Joe Biden will run for re-election in 2024.
History shows us that the party which holds the presidency generally performs poorly in the midterm elections.
But the Democrats’ overall performance this year is considered the best for a sitting party in over two decades.
They went into the elections at a time of towering inflation, rising crime rates and fears of a recession. Many expected the Republicans to sweep the floor as a result.
But this didn’t happen and now Biden is staring down the barrel of another four years in office.
Sitting Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who has backed Biden for re-election, says the election results are cause for celebration.
“This is such a cause for the celebration. Chuck Schumer was so correct when he said it was a victory for the people and for the country.”
Meanwhile, Senate Leader Chuck Schumer says even when the path looked bleak, Democratic candidates never gave up the fight.
“Contrast our candidates with some of the people they ran against. Our strong candidates beat some very flawed challengers who had no faith in democracy. No fidelity to the truth or honour. And even when the polls looked bleak, our candidates never gave up,” Schumer said.
Republicans seek answers
With the Senate results more certain, all eyes are now on Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell as Republicans seek answers.
It was supposed to be a red wave, but many commentators have since labeled the results of the 2022 midterm elections as a ‘red ripple’.
Over the weekend, it was all but confirmed the Democrats will hold two critical Senate seats in Arizona and Nevada, and therefore retain control of the upper chamber.
While the Republicans are still favoured to win Congress, their likely majority is continuing to shrink.
Speaking to CNN, Trump critic and Republican Governor Larry Hogan says he’s tired of losing.
“It’s basically the third election in a row that Donald Trump has cost us the race,” Hogan said. “He kept saying, ‘we’re gonna be winning so much, we’ll get tired of winning.’ I’m tired of losing. That’s all he’s done.”