Republican sweep in US midterm elections will impact Biden’s policies and presidential race, say experts

Prof DeBats noted that the growing base of urban working class voters is very important for the Republicans, as they were groups who formed a significant core of Democratic support for nearly half a century.

“It’s a reflection of the big changes in the American economy, from an economy based on industry, piping, labour union jobs, which don’t require a lot of skill, but do certainly require hard work. And those jobs are disappearing,” he said.

“Automation, AI (artificial intelligence), all these modern features of a technological economy, have changed the job market and a lot of people are left behind.”

PREDICTIONS 

Both analysts expect a Republican sweep this midterms.

Prof Schneider said they are likely to make “significant gains” and take over both the House and Senate, a move which would allow them to impede President Biden’s agenda.

“This is a significant election, principally because the Republican Party has been taken over by the radical right. The radical right has been around for 200 years. It’s been a factor in American politics. It only came to power with Donald Trump, when he was elected in 2016,” he explained.

“They tasted power, they objected to the fact that they were thrown out of power, and they want it back.”