American democracy has been saved for the time being – but remains fragile BAG reports: 20,951 new corona cases ++ In hospital: 288 ++ 17 new deaths

The ingredients for a big party were there: high inflation, an unpopular president, a generally bad mood (about 70 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the state of the nation). The Republican triumph at the midterms seemed like a formality. Even a “red tsunami” in the US Congress was considered possible.

There was no sign of that. Not even a red wave. It is still unclear which party will have the majority in both houses of parliament. It can take days for the votes by mail to be counted. And if everything in the Senate depends on a runoff in Georgia, like two years ago, it could be December.

It remains likely that Republicans will control the House of Representatives. But for future chairman Kevin McCarthy, it would be a bittersweet victory. By a small majority, he is likely to become a ‘hostage’ to extremists such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz. They want to start impeachment proceedings.

Election deniers were left behind

Targets include President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who has some stains on his vest. Therein lies an opportunity for the Democrats. If Republicans go too far, there could be a backlash in two years. In any case, the election results are good news for American democracy. She’s saved, at least for now.

This includes the performance of those candidates who deny the results of the 2020 presidential election and believe that Donald Trump is the real winner. Some had the upper hand, but those for the particularly sensitive posts in the swing states, which follow the course of the elections, almost always lagged behind.

Trump’s support only helped to a limited extent

This includes Doug Mastriano, the Pennsylvania governor’s candidate whose election even moderate Republicans had warned about. Or Kari Lake, who wants to run for governor of Arizona and is heading for defeat even though her Democratic rival had a weak campaign. Already on election night, Lake complained about fraud.

So far, to be expected. The former TV host made it to the polls with support from Donald Trump. The support of the ex-president, who still complains about the allegedly stolen election victory, only paid off to a limited extent. In Pennsylvania, for example, television grocer Mehmet Oz lost the senate election.

Wind along for DeSantis

Republicans should now be wondering whether they have exaggerated their “loyalty to the Nibelungs” to the ex-president and election denier. But Trump is likely to announce his candidacy for 2024 next week. Not only his gigantic ego drives him, but also the various legal disputes he is involved in.

Whether he will be nominated is less clear than it already is. Ron DeSantis is hot on his heels. He is benefiting from his apparent reelection as Florida governor. Trump is making veiled threats against him. He knows Republicans won’t risk breaking up with him because they can’t live without his devoted fanbase.

Abortion saves Democrats

After the sobering midterms, the Grand Old Party faces turbulent times. But even the Democrats have little reason to celebrate. Had the Supreme Court not erased the fundamental right to abortion in June, the dreaded tsunami would have rolled over them. The resentment of many women saved her from the worst.

A glance at the political map, however, gives Democrats only limited satisfaction. Florida’s “eternal” swing state hasn’t just turned into a Republican stronghold in just a few years, not just thanks to DeSantis. And hopes that they could at least color the state of Texas “purple” over time have only been partially fulfilled so far.

Parties are considered too extreme

Latino voices don’t fall into their lap as easily as they naively thought. And not only Joe Biden, soon to be 80, but the influence of the party’s left wing could become a burden. Demands such as “defund the police” deter voters who position themselves in the political center.

Post-election polls show that many Americans think both parties are “too extreme.” Yet, because of the rock-solid two-party system, they have little choice but to vote for one of them. That’s fine as long as they respect the democratic rules of the game. That is less and less the case for Republicans.

After the end of the midterms, they had to think about it. But that will hardly happen. American democracy can be saved for the time being. But she’s not over the hill yet.