The Halloween decorations came down . . . and the most of the political signs came down overnight — some much faster than others. Was it a reaction to scary ghouls and goons? It’s complicated.
And yes.
And it was not a victory of the Democratic Party.
Ten years ago in 2016 there was a political reaction against Washington business-as-usual. Fueled by small donations, voters in the Democratic Presidential Primaries sent a message to the Democrat Party that Bernie Sanders might be the man for the job. There was polling that suggested strongly that Sanders would run better against Trump in key states than would Hillary Clinton. The Democratic Party, with their “Super Delegate” tool, gave the nomination to Clinton. It was her turn. The people retaliated by electing Donald Trump President of the United States. It was not a victory for the Republican Party.
Then in 2020 the Democratic Party chose Joseph Biden as their nominee. It was his turn. Donald Trump managed to lose the general election and then distinguished himself by attempting to orchestrate a self-coup or insurrection against the U. S. Government in an attempt to seize the office denied him by the voters. His coup failed due to heroic actions — notably those of Mike Pence, the Republican Vice President of the United States.
In 2024 the Democratic Party chose Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee, without a primary, after the collapse of Biden’s reelection campaign. She made an easy target as the ex-running-mate of Biden. After the easily criticized first term performance of the overaged Biden and publication of much Biden family drama, after a brain dead Biden debate performance and subsequent withdrawal from the race — combined with Trump’s promise of an end to war — the people elected Donald Trump President of the United States of America. It was not a victory of the Republican Party.
So . . . in the Democratic Party primaries for the 2026 mid-term elections, the voters elected candidates that spoke their language — end the war with Iran, change our relationship with Israel, etc. — and sometimes they voted against the endorsement of Democratic Party leaders Schumer and Jeffries. In one high profile senate race, an establishment Democrat who was defeated in the Primary then endorsed the Republican candidate for the seat in the general election — without success.
In the election on November 3, 2026, the Democratic candidates chosen by the people routed their Republican opponents for the U. S. House of Representatives, the U. S. Senate, State Governors, and State and local government. Some States flipped from Republican to Democrat in one day. It was not a victory of the Democratic Party.
It was a victory of the people.
Will the Democratic Party establishment change as a result of this historic mandate?
The people have spoken. Will the Democratic Party listen, or will it continue making the same mistakes while expecting different results.
Cited
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/15/bernie-sanders-donald-trump-election
https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37932230
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/data-points/who-s-more-likely-beat-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-or-n570766
https://theconversation.com/mike-pences-actions-on-jan-6-were-wholly-unremarkable-until-they-saved-the-nation-185325
https://theconversation.com/mike-pences-actions-on-jan-6-were-wholly-unremarkable-until-they-saved-the-nation-185325
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/05/congress-midterms-diverse
Only time will tell…