It’s not something you see often but MSNBC viewers got a taste of reality for the first time in years. During MSNBC’s “Decent 2022: Countdown until the Midterms” special, host Steve Kornacki laid out a lengthy case for why Democrats could be turning the tide and keep control of Congress. John Podhoretz editor of Commentary magazine, laughed at the suggestion that Dems might not be wiped off the ballot in the midterms.
Kornacki opened by delusionally claiming “there have [sic] been some press coverage and some pundits who’ve been saying, maybe things are actually turning around in Democrats’ favor.”
He went on to say read from a Politico article which claimed ”Biden enters the always be closing phase of his first term. This is because of the deal that he made with Joe Manchin. Somehow, some way they write, Joe Biden is back in the game, after enduring a brutal year dominated by economic angst, legislative setbacks, and sinking approval ratings, the President is suddenly on the verge of a turnaround that the White House believes could salvage his summer, and alter the trajectory of his presidency.”
“You have Nate Silver, at FiveThirtyEight the forecasting site,” Kornacki said excitedly. “He says the political environment might be improving for Democrats. He mentions several legislative successes. He also mentions some legislative achievements. Roe v. Wade decision, COVID fading from the news, the January 6 hearings.”
Kornacki also touted how Cook Political Report downgraded their “House outlook from a GOP gain of 20 to 35 seats, down to 15 to 30 seats.”
Turning to Podhoretz, Kornacki asked “I know you have been bullish on Republican prospects in this year’s midterm elections. Are you starting to feel any doubt about that?”
Podhoretz quickly dismissed the suggestion that Democrats may be in danger of a comeback at the midterm elections.
No. It is all wish cast. We haven’t discussed the issues that are going against Biden, I believe. The fact that between 78 and 88 percent believe we are on the wrong path has not been discussed. For the first time since 40 years, inflation is a key political issue. One key point to remember about inflation is the following. If you have high unemployment, it means that 9-10% of those who are eligible to work in the country do not get a job. And that’s a terrible thing. However, it can affect them and their families, as well as their immediate family members. Every single American is affected by inflation.
He went on to note how inflation “is just an anchor on Democratic hopes” and “every time somebody goes to fill up their gas tank, they’re getting mad, and they are getting worried, and they’re getting anxious, and they feel bad. And the party in power has control of the House, the Senate, and the White House.”
Podhoretz ended by warning Democrats that they need to “batten down the hatches,” and “prepare for the tsunami to roll over you.”
MSNBC’s illusions of a Democrat win in 2022 were made possible by the endorsements of Bayer and Discover. They are linked.
Click “expand to view the transcript for this segment”
MSNBC’s Decision 2022: Countdown until the Midterms
August 1, 2022
Eastern Time: 10:08 p.m.STEVE KORNACKI : Democrats have a bad history. Biden’s numbers do not look favorable for Democrats. Biden’s numbers, combined with his history don’t bode well for Democrats. We have been watching the news that President Biden announced today the assassination of an Al-Qaeda leader. Last week, we heard of negotiations taking place in the Senate to pass the climate bill that Democrats had been fighting for. They might have reached an agreement with Joe Manchin.
And there have been some press coverage and some pundits who’ve been saying, maybe things are actually turning around in Democrats’ favor. Let me just share a few. This is Politico. They ran this story just a few days ago. Biden begins the ever-closed phase of his first term. This is because of the deal that he made with Joe Manchin. According to some reports, Joe Biden has suddenly returned to the game after suffering a year of economic turmoil, legislative setbacks and sinking approval ratings. The White House feels that a turnaround is possible, which could help save him summer and shift his presidential trajectory. This was Politico.
Nate Silver can be reached at FiveThirtyEight, the site for forecasting. According to him, the political climate might be changing for Democrats. He mentions several legislative successes. He also mentions some legislative achievements. Roe v. WadeDecision, COVID disappearing from the news, January 6 hearings. You then have Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. Soon, someone will be on the Cook Political Report’s call.
He did forecast House races in The Cook Report and said he would downgrade his prediction a bit for Republicans in the House. According to him, is there a red wave? Probably not much, but as Dems show more signs of life and Rs nominate several problematic candidates, we’re downgrading our House outlook from a GOP gain of 20 to 35 seats, down to 15 to 30 seats. John, let me start by saying hello. I enjoyed your podcast. Your columns were very interesting. I know you have been bullish on Republican prospects in this year’s midterm elections. Is that something you are starting to doubt?
JOHN PODHORETZ – No. This is just wish-casting. We haven’t discussed the issues that are going against Biden, I believe. The fact that between 78 and 88 percent believe we are on the wrong path has not been discussed. Inflation is now a significant political topic for the first-time in over 40 years.
This is the key point to remember about inflation. If you have high unemployment, it means that 9-10% of those who are eligible to work in the country do not get a job. And that’s a terrible thing. However, it can affect them and their families, as well as their immediate family members. Everyone is affected every day by inflation in America. The acceleration may slow down, but it could be. But that is just an anchor on Democratic hopes, that all of the structural things you’re talking about, maybe the Republicans have bad candidates here. Perhaps Biden has had some good weeks.
People get anxious every time they fill up the gas tank. But the party at the top has full control over the Senate, House and White House. Republicans aren’t. So I don’t see how the Republicans can turn things around.
Your historical map and our history combined with the horrible issue facing Democrats is, I believe, more realistic. If you are a Democrat then you should just let the batten down and expect the tsunami to sweep you over and you will see what you can do next election.
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