Karl Rove: In a way, it was never going to be a 'red wave'
Karl Rove weighs in on the latest Fox News race projections and examines key congressional races that could determine a GOP takeover.
The voting is over and the 2022 midterm elections have (almost) wrapped up.
No, Republicans aren’t parading through the streets of Rome like a conquering army, it’s important to keep perspective on what Tuesday night’s election results mean.
Despite the Democratic spin and despite what the mainstream media is saying, here’s the big takeaway of the night: the GOP appears poised to take back the House and the trajectory of the Biden administration will be changed forever.
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The days of unchecked Democratic rule, runaway spending, and killing American energy are done. Though Republicans may not be able to completely turn the country around all at once — Joe Biden is still president, after all – the GOP can still provide a very effective brake pedal.
The jury may still be out on the final makeup of the House and Senate but these three takeaways from Tuesday night’s results are in view.
1. America is still as divided as ever
President Joe Biden’s promises to unite the country are long gone. More than anything, Tuesday night proved that we are as divided as ever. There was no red wave, but more of a red ripple. Our country moved rightward in a direction that is discernible, yet not dramatically.
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Republicans will likely govern the House by a distinct margin. The Senate is still up for grabs. Aside from a few select issues, it’s unlikely much will get done in Washington. And perhaps, after 2 years of Democrats passing trillions in new spending and increasing inflation, that’s a good thing.
2. Hispanic voters threw their support to the GOP
Democrats bragged for years about how their advantage among Hispanic voters would propel them to a permanent majority. "Demographics is destiny" was their refrain. And yet, over the last several years, Republicans steadily chipped away at their advantage. A recent Wall Street Journal poll showed just a 5-point lead for Democrats among Hispanics – that's a margin that would’ve been unthinkable a decade ago.
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Tuesday night, Hispanics powered the GOP to victory in Florida. Ron DeSantis and Marco Rubio blew the doors off in the Sunshine State. Nevada also looks promising with Adam Laxalt and Republican congressional candidates on the verge of a sweep.
If this trend continues across the country, it threatens to upend a major linchpin of future Democratic paths to victory.
Tuesday’s results show the public wants to turn the page on complete Democratic control of Washington.
For decades, Democratic Party leaders have relied on winning a heavy number of Latino voters to power them to office. If that firewall collapses, they will need to scramble to find those vote elsewhere.
3. Biden has a big decision to make
The clock is ticking on Joe Biden. Within the next few weeks, he needs to tell the world, but most importantly his own party, whether he intends to run for president.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on what he calls the "continued battle for the Soul of the Nation" in front of Independence Hall at Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, U.S., September 1, 2022. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY/File Photo)
Republicans such as Donald Trump are already ready to run. And despite what they may tell the public, other prospective candidates are prepared to do the same.
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The Democratic Party will get antsy very soon. Biden needs to either announce—definitively—that he’ll run for reelection or he needs to stand down and unleash a no-holds-barred Democratic primary.
Tuesday’s results show the public wants to turn the page on complete Democratic control of Washington.
The final pages of the 2022 midterm elections are yet to be written. But on Tuesday, we saw where the plot was headed.
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Republicans are poised to return to power in Washington and be the brake pedal on a Biden agenda. Meanwhile, Joe Biden and his Party face a future where a possible open presidential primary bleeds a crucial voting block.
On to 2024.
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