Biden calls U.S. midterm results ‘good day’ for democracy, admits voters ‘frustrated’

Biden spoke a day after Democrats performed much better than expected in a midterm election that was expected to deliver a larger Republican victory.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday celebrated the better-than-expected performance of Democrats in Tuesday’s midterm elections, calling the preliminary results a “good day” for democracy and the country.

But he admitted the results — which were still trickling in on Wednesday, leaving control of Congress up in the air — showed voters remain concerned with the impacts of high inflation, along with public safety and the rising cost of living.

“While the press and the pundits were predicting a giant red wave, we didn’t have it,” Biden told reporters from the White House.

“Another thing we know is that voters spoke clearly about their concerns…. The voters were also clear that they are still frustrated. I get it.”

Although dozens of races remained too close to call by Wednesday afternoon, Republicans appeared poised to gain control of the House of Representatives and could have another chance to swap the fragile makeup of the Senate next month, when a high-profile race in Georgia heads to a runoff.

But the party did not perform as expected in a midterm year that historically serves as a rebuke to the party in the White House. Earlier projections had predicted Republicans would earn an advantage in the House of at least 10 seats and as many as 30, but it appeared by Wednesday that its majority will be razor-thin, possibly by just a couple of seats.

That could give Democrats a chance to peel away votes from the Republicans to continue to advance Biden’s agenda or help them block legislation pushed by Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the man widely expected to become the next House speaker, who will have authority over what bills make it to the House for votes.

McCarthy’s path to the speaker’s position could be complicated by a slimmer Republican majority, however, with some far-right members openly calling for an alternative candidate more aligned with former president Donald Trump’s populist, “America First” agenda.