There was no Republican wave. But the US’s march to the right continues – more likely now under the banner of legislative sabotage than outright insurrection (I write with key House races undeclared).
With US inflation at its highest for 40 years (8.2 per cent), the two parties adopted classically asymmetric strategies: the Republicans fought on the economy and culture wars; the Democrats mobilised young people and women to defend democracy and reproductive rights. To mainstream strategists, it looked suicidal for the Democrats. “Don’t fight the culture war” has become the accepted wisdom of centre-left politics.
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