Biden says midterm vote was a 'good day for democracy' and notes the 'red wave' didn't happen - CNN

CNN  — 

President Joe Biden is addressing reporters Wednesday aft appearing to withstand historical and governmental headwinds successful the midterm elections, staving disconnected resounding Republican wins adjacent arsenic his presidency is present apt entering a caller play of divided government.

The results, helium said, are a motion US ideology is intact, contempt coming nether menace implicit the past respective years.

“We had an predetermination yesterday,” Biden said during a post-Election Day quality conference. “And it was a bully day, I think, for democracy.”

“Our ideology has been tested successful caller years, but with their votes, the American radical person spoken and proven erstwhile again that ideology is who we are,” helium said, adding that “while the property and the pundits are predicting a elephantine reddish wave, it didn’t happen.”

“I cognize you were somewhat miffed by my incessant optimism,” Biden told reporters successful the room, “but I felt bully during the full process.”

The results were neither the “thumping” George W. Bush described during his ain post-midterms property league successful 2006 nor the “shellacking’” Barack Obama said Democrats endured successful 2010.

Instead, the nonaccomplishment of a alleged “red wave” to materialize Tuesday nighttime had Democrats, including those wrong the White House, feeling enthused and vindicated pursuing an predetermination play wherever Biden’s governmental aptitude was questioned.

“While immoderate spot mislaid is achy … Democrats had a beardown night. And we mislaid less seats successful the House of Representatives than immoderate Democratic president’s archetypal midterm predetermination successful the past 40 years,” Biden remarked.

“We person defied humanities trends,” a elder Biden advisor told CNN. “It’s beauteous bonzer if you deliberation astir it.”

The results appeared much apt to punctual soul-searching among Republicans than Democrats, arsenic erstwhile President Donald Trump teases an imminent announcement that helium is moving for the White House again. Many of the candidates Trump endorsed successful toss-up races lost oregon were locked successful contests that were excessively aboriginal to call.

Still, Biden and his squad inactive look the imaginable of a hard 2 years of governing should Republicans prehend power of the House of Representatives. The President’s docket would apt beryllium sharply curtailed without a Democratic majority. And Republicans person promised investigations into Biden’s medication and family.

Exit polls besides indicated still-simmering dissatisfaction among voters astatine the country’s economical health. Around three-quarters of voters nationally said the system is “poor” oregon “not good,” and the aforesaid stock said that ostentation has caused them terrible oregon mean hardship. About two-thirds said that state prices person been causing them hardship.

Voters person a dour presumption astir the mode things are going successful the state generally, with much than 7 successful 10 saying they are “dissatisfied” oregon “angry.”

For the president, improving the country’s pervasive acheronian temper volition beryllium an ongoing situation contempt Democrats outperforming expectations Tuesday. Without a bulk successful the House, his tools to execute that volition beryllium much limited.

Biden spent astir of his run play focused connected economical issues, including areas he’d taken enactment to trim costs. But helium drew immoderate criticism, including from immoderate Democrats, for expanding his closing connection to including termination rights and a defence of democracy.

Heading into Tuesday, Biden advisers were prepared to support the maneuver and were prepared with historical information showing Democrats faring amended this twelvemonth than successful erstwhile midterm cycles, which typically effect successful losses for the sitting president’s party.

Ultimately, however, Biden is apt to debar the finger-pointing and second-guessing. Even with the House losses, this year’s results are among the champion for the enactment successful powerfulness successful caller memory.

By comparison, Democrats mislaid 54 seats successful 1994, erstwhile President Bill Clinton was successful office. And Obama’s archetypal midterm predetermination saw his enactment suffer 63 seats.

Whether the results change Biden’s reasoning astir moving for a 2nd word besides remains to beryllium seen. The president has said helium intends to tally for reelection, and members of his squad person begun aboriginal preparations up of a last decision.

But a determination isn’t apt to travel until adjacent twelvemonth aft helium has discussed the substance with his household implicit the holidays.