G. Elliot Morris: “The economy doesn’t really move midterm outcomes at all, and while presidential approval has an effect, it is also dwarfed by the general tendency of the electorate to punish the party in power. What matters more than anything is which party controls the White House.”
Midterms Are Usually a Backlash Against the President
Limited-time offer
Try Political Wire Free for 60 days
Members get Talking Points analysis, Trending News, the Polling Dashboard, the Trial Balloon podcast, new site features and no ads. Start your free trial


?Political Trivia
Eight moments in political history. Put them on a timeline.
Play →
Five senators. Three bills. Can you guess how they all voted?
Play →
Nine Justices. One case. How did they rule?
Play →
Do you have your finger on the pulse of America?
Play →
Four questions a day.
Play →
A new game every day.