Who’s Haunting the Midterms?

Darkness encroaches around battle-weary candidates as midterms come calling. The mantle is burdensome, and casualties horrific. Unless, that is, you are the one who prevails and will soon be heading to the Swamp. Who will win? Who will slink off to the hedgerow to lick their salty wounds, covered in tears and regret? Will the Democrats hold their own, or will a red wave engulf Washington, DC, on Nov. 8?

The walking dead are all around, waiting for the polls to close, and, hopeful candidates aside, those in seats of power may soon lose their grip and surrender to new victors.

Double, Double, the Midterms Cauldron Bubbles

In all respects, Mr. President, Joe Biden, is the only name on the ballot. This election is about his leadership, direction, and the state of the union. And it doesn’t look good for the administration. Poll after poll has battleground states veering toward the right.

Pennsylvania has Dr. Mehmet Oz already kicking a man down -- in percentage points. After a stroke and a poor showing in a live televised debate, US Senate candidate John Fetterman is losing steam. So much so that singer/songwriter Carole King allowed her name and face to be used in a mass email on Fetterman’s behalf. The carefully crafted letter appealed to the old hippies who may remember Carole. She used the correct soundbite: “MAGA Republicans have shown they’ll stop at nothing to destroy our democratic institutions to gain or retain power. They peddle cruelty, hatred, and lies.” King also penned and made famous the now ironic and more appropriate lyrics, “It’s too late, baby, now, it’s too late.”

And panic is bubbling up in states like New Hampshire, where Senate Republican candidate Gen. Don Bolduc has come from behind and caught up with Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH). That was not supposed to happen. In Nevada, former state Attorney General Adam Laxalt is embarrassing his opponent, incumbent Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). Masto had the honor of becoming America’s first Latina elected to the upper chamber, and possibly the fastest turn around to obscurity if the polls reflect voter attitudes. Laxalt has 49% of Hispanic voters and 48% of all likely voters. It’s a squeaker, but in Nevada, it should be a slam dunk for Masto.

In Alaska, incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski is being haunted by challenger Kelly Tshibaka notwithstanding hefty support from Sen. Mitch McConnell. Murkowski is sensing failure despite outspending Tshibaka by about $7.5 million, with 85% from out-of-state donors (such as a McConnell-backed super PAC). Of course, voting to impeach a sitting president of the party in which you claim membership is potentially fatal to one’s political career. But “who ya gonna call?” MAGA-busters? Heck, even Connecticut is feeling a presence not noticed until this election year. Republican George Logan has pulled ahead of Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT). It’s most unusual.

MAGA candidates, those that Carole King finds offensive, have taken out the likes of Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), forced incumbents not to seek re-election, and seem to be redefining what the Republican Party is all about. And Democrats said it best: “the MAGA agenda is winning.”

Zombies Eat Brains, Right?

In just a few days, there will be a reckoning of sorts. One might notice the bedraggled remnants of former suit-wearing politicians now lost upon the Capitol steps. Gaunt, perhaps a tad greenish-gray in search of a lost life once vibrant and full of ungodly power. Will they feast upon the shiny new faces of incoming freshmen Democrats and Republicans or turn on each other as they wander in obscurity -- kind of like zombies from the political graveyard in search of life. But don't Zombies eat brains? Well, if that is the case, they are going to starve.