ster reveals the truth about the red washout
While the two sides attempt to make sense Tuesday’s surprise, Americans can agree that there were many successes and failures.
Republicans, and Democrats will both be discouraged by certain assumptions they brought into this week. But they will also be proud of the other obstacles they overcame. The GOP’s unrealistic expectations were a hindrance to what should have been a triumphant moment, which stopped President Joe Biden’s unchecked extremism from being stopped.
For all that the GOP accomplished–retaking at least one chamber of Congress–the overwhelming expectations robbed Republicans of the celebration they should have enjoyed for finally holding the president accountable for two years of abysmal, policy-driven failures.
Scott Rasmussen was one of many pollsters who were stunned by Tuesday’s results. He told Tony Perkins, Family Research Council President, that the first surprise was the youth turnout. He said it was “much stronger that we would have expected.”
He said that overall, the turnout was just two points more favorable to Democrats than expected. In a country like ours, Rasmussen claimed that a one- or 2-point difference in turnout could be the difference between a 10-, 12-, or 40-seat pickup. Many close races, almost all the toss-ups, went for Democrats.
Rasmussen believes that Biden’s over-promising about student loan forgiveness was one of his last-ditch efforts to pay off. He stated that the whole point was to increase youth voting. It worked. He warned that youth turnout is still low. It’s just slightly higher than what was expected. However, even a small difference of one or two points can make a big difference in a country that is so divided.”
Conservatives were salivating at the possibility to punish Democrats because of their extreme agenda. The fact that there wasn’t a red tsunami was a shock. Why did the majority of voters support the president and his party? Rasmussen argued that it wasn’t clear that a majority voted for the president and his party. “I believe that the slight majority of voters actually voted Republican… but not in the amounts we would have expected.”
The “slight majority,” Cook Political Report stated today, equaled at least 6 million votes more for Republicans than Democrats in Congress. As of Thursday morning, Republicans had received 50,113,534 votes (52.3%) compared to 44,251,768 votes (46.2%).
Cook points out that this is a lead of 6.1% – even better than their average in generic congressional ballot polls heading into midterms.
Rasmussen stated that it all points to the “disconnect” in American politics between the president’s and legislative races. It was evident in 2020. Joe Biden won the White House but Republicans won the House. We would have expected a larger wave this time, given Biden’s low approval rating for his job.
Why didn’t it happen?? Rasmussen said that “my sense” was that partisanship “is still very alive.” He also stated, “We’ve had nine consecutive elections in which nobody has won more than 53% of votes.” We are indeed very, very divided. We need a landslide, just like when Ronald Reagan won 49 states…
But who will do it all? Who is capable of uniting both sides around a common message? “I don’t know,” Rasmussen answered. “But it’s going be there some day. This has happened before. Remember the late ’60s or early ’70s. We never imagined we would get to where we are today. Ronald Reagan arrived shortly afterwards and brought us morning in America. We’ll experience it all again. It might get worse before it gets better but our best days are yet to come.”
Perkins stated that there is less middle ground in a country like the United States. This speaks to the importance for everyone to “participate in the process.” Rasmussen agreed. “We are in a situation where the outcome is determined by turnout right now. We can talk about campaign strategies all we like. Campaigns are all about the fundamentals. … But the Democrats had a solid Senate map that automatically set up a number close races. Every single vote counts in these close races.
Perkins was told by Cornerstone Chapel Senior Pastor Gary Hamrick that he believes Christians might be tempted despair at the results. “One thing I want to remind you is that God used righteous and unrighteous rulers, which means that he used good and bad leaders to accomplish his purposes. We must remember that God sent the Israelites to Babylon for a time, and Nebuchadnezzar, a very unrighteous ruler, was sent. During the 70-year exile, the people were cleansed of idolatry. Even if we are unhappy with the leadership, God can accomplish great things with us.
Hamrick said that conservatives “did squeak through with some positive things.” People [turned] out because Roe V. Wade was overturned. You know what? I woke up knowing that Roe v. Wade was being overturned. However, thousands of babies will be protected because people came out in a previous election. They voted for a conservative president that put three justices on this court.
Hamrick stated that there will be “ebbs, flows, and changes” with the political system at the end of the day. “We must not lose sight of the fact Jesus is still on His throne. I don’t care if Capitol Hill or the White House are occupied. Jesus is still on the throne. We cannot give up the fight because each political season can tip the balance in terms of righteousness and unrighteousness. We must be vigilant in doing what we’re called.
Is the world going to become more evil as Christ’s return nears? Yes. “But I must do my part. I can’t check out. I can’t get discouraged,” Hamrick urged. It’s only going to get worse before Jesus returns. This is not heaven yet. All of this will be irrelevant one day when we get there. I have to keep fighting the good fight of faith and be the salt and light we are referring to.
Originally Published By The Washington Stand
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