Episode Details

In just over five weeks, Americans will head to the polls for the midterm elections and the contours of the vote are taking shape.

Republicans are defending narrow majorities in Congress. Trump’s approval ratings are underwater, with the economy and cost of living a central concern. In some Republican races  candidates are beginning to put some distance between themselves and the president.

But what larger questions are Americans being asked to confront this November? Is this a referendum on Donald Trump? On the economy? On the war in Iran? Or will this be about the Democratic Party's attempt to carve out a coherent identity post-Biden? 

Alex Shephard is a Senior Editor at The New Republic. He's our guest today.

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