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Comment on the midterms: Hopefully they don't screw it up
The Republicans' recipe of relying entirely on US President Trump and a lot of money did not work. The Democrats succeeded in conveying confidence, says Samuel Jackisch. This opportunity must
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Comment Election victory of the US Democrats Hopefully they don't screw it up As of: November 4th, 2026 • 5:50 p.m
The Republicans' recipe of relying entirely on US President Trump and a lot of money did not work. The Democrats managed to convey confidence. But they have to take advantage of this opportunity now.
Lots of Trump, lots of money, little content: This was the recipe the Republicans used to try to prevent the worst in these midterm elections, and they failed to the max.
Even more than $400 million in campaign aid from Elon Musk alone is of no use if you don't have any good candidates. The main thing is that they like Donald Trump - that was the motto when choosing their faces. During the election campaign, the president mostly praised their appearance and his policies. Furthermore, there was little reason for Republicans to vote this time.
The Democrats did it more cleverly and brought bandwidth to the start: the brash trade unionist for the state of Maine. The weatherproof firearm collector for Alaska. The Methodist preacher in Kansas, the child psychologist with Native American roots in Minnesota. The left-wing Muslim doctor for Michigan and in Texas a pious, coiffed young teacher who many here already consider to be the greatest talent since Kennedy. Ambitious, quick-witted, close to the people and politically flexible - the interchangeable Trump puppets had nothing to say against the assembled vibe of these Democrats.
None of the now successful Democrats will independently end the wars in the Middle East or Ukraine. None of them can lower the price of gasoline, raise wages or finally fix the broken health insurance system on their own.
But they were able to convey confidence that things would be better in Washington with them than without them. And that is good news for everyone who still has faith in democracy, that it is not only guided by money and good relationships, but that credibility and concepts also play a role.
If the Democrats play it smart, they can at least negotiate a few of these with Trump before the next shutdown looms on the horizon. Because Parliament and the President are blocking each other or the Democrats are tearing themselves apart in the battle for the next presidential candidacy.
Yesterday, millions of Americans once again put a spark of hope in their representatives. Hopefully they don't screw it up.
This topic in the program: The First | daily news | November 4, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. Das Erste | daily news | November 4, 2026 | 8:00 p.m.RBB24 Inforadio | News | November 4, 2026 | 5:24 p.m