‘A good day for democracy’: Biden hails midterm results, pledges to work with Republicans

Washington: Joe Biden has characterised the US midterm elections as a victory for democracy and has vowed to work with Republicans if they take control of Congress, saying Americans had made it clear they didn’t want a “constant political battle”.

As control of the House of Representatives and Senate hung in the balance, Biden, who is turning 80 this month, also declared he intended to run in the 2024 presidential election regardless of whether Donald Trump enters the race, although a final decision would be made next year.

US President Joe Biden discusses midterm vote results.Credit: AP

Asked to respond to those who questioned his fitness for the job, he replied: “Watch me”.

“My intention is that I’m running again,” Biden said, in his first public comments since votes were cast on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).

“But I’m a great respecter of fate and this is ultimately a family decision. I think everybody wants me to run but we’re going to have discussions about it and I don’t feel any hurry one way or another to make that judgment.”

The president’s comments come the day after a midterm election he warned would be one of the most consequential in history.

Democratic candidate for US Senate John Fetterman waves to supporters after addressing an election night party in Pittsburgh.Credit: AP

Against the backdrop of record inflation and soaring cost-of-living pressures, the Democrats headed into the poll bracing for big losses. But as the night wore on, it became apparent the threat of a Republican red wave would not materialise.

Republicans still remain on track to win back the House, while control of the Senate hinges on three key states: Arizona, Nevada and Georgia. However, the Democrats were able to snatch the Republican seat of Pennsylvania, when former mayor John Fetterman beat Trump-backed celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz.

“While the press and the pundits were predicting a giant red wave, it didn’t happen,” Biden said.

He had framed the election as a test of democracy at a time when hundreds of Republican candidates embraced Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

But as the momentum appeared to shift towards Republicans in the final days of the campaign, Biden and the White House were criticised – including from within their own ranks – for not crafting a more coherent message on the economy to counter the Republicans’ attacks. The primary issue weighing down Democrats was stubbornly high annual inflation, which at 8.2 per cent is the highest rate in 40 years.

However, the president said the result had shown that voters cared about the issues the Democrats had campaigned on, including a broader plan to tackle cost-of-living pressures, such as to lower the price of prescription drugs.

What’s more, while a number of election deniers who backed Trump’s claims were elected to office, many of those who had sought positions to oversee elections at state and federal levels were defeated.

Fears of violence or major disruption by far-right poll watchers at voting stations did not emerge either. Disturbances at polling places have mostly been limited malfunctions of equipment, confusion about polling hours, and the routine glitches for which America’s sprawling localised electoral system is known.

“It was a good day for democracy and a good day for America,” Biden said, thanking the record number of voters who showed up at the polls, particularly young people. “They sent a clear and unmistakable message that they want to preserve our democracy and protect the right to choose in this country.”

In addition to winning Pennsylvania’s Senate race, Democrats also fended off strong Republican challenges for governor of Michigan and Wisconsin, two states likely to remain battlegrounds in the 2024 presidential race.

But while the president said the Democrats had a “strong night”, he also acknowledged the economic pain voters were feeling and vowed to do what he could to tackle inflation and advance the country’s domestic and foreign interests.

However, he added that he would not support any proposals to make inflation worse, such as making any cuts to social security or Medicare, or hinder women’s reproductive rights.

“I will veto any attempt to pass a national ban on abortion,” he said. “But I’m ready to compromise with Republicans where it makes sense on many other issues, and I’ll always put the needs and interests of the American people first.”

If the Republicans do take control of Congress, it would make it harder for Biden to deliver on his policy agenda. It also could pave the way for a series of inquiries previously flagged by Republicans, such as a probe into the alleged “weaponisation” of the Justice Department or an inquiry into the financial dealings of the president’s son, Hunter Biden.

The current House Speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi – whose husband was brutally attacked with a hammer in the latest example of political violence in America – would probably be replaced by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Republican Kevin McCarthy is poised to become next House Speaker.Credit: Bloomberg

Republicans have flagged plans to seek cost savings in the popular Social Security and Medicare retirement and healthcare programs run by the government. They also want to make permanent expiring tax cuts under a partisan 2017 law enacted by Republicans.

At the same time, they have said they want to undo Biden’s major achievements addressing climate change and prevent possible efforts to expand social programs to include childcare subsidies so more parents can hold jobs, for example.

with Reuters

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