In his novel ‘A Tale of Two Cities,’ Charles Dickens wrote one of the most famous opening lines in literary history: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’

 

That quote would leap to mind if anyone of sane mind switched between Fox News and MS NOW or CNN. As the midterm elections approach, the narrative at Fox and other conservative outlets is simple: Donald Trump shuttered the border, ushered in the largest tax cut in American history, reduced crime, created a manufacturing boom, and is about to turn the terror state Iran into a meek and nuclear-free puppy. Meanwhile, AI will soon lead to unprecedented prosperity and well-being.  Therefore, Republicans must maintain control of Congress.

 

Now turn the channel to MS NOW or the CNN shout fest emceed by the vapid Abby Phillip. There you’ll learn that the president is shredding the Constitution, has begun an illegal and disastrous war in Iran, and heads the most corrupt administration in American history.  Beyond that, Trump’s ICE is bludgeoning and deporting grannies and toddlers. The only saving grace is that we’ll all be dead soon because of the horrors unleashed by AI.  So of course the Republicans must be tossed to the curb and replaced by the likes of Abdul El-Sayed and James Talarico.

 

Both sides have some points. Most economic numbers are very strong, but Democrats talk incessantly about high gas prices.  They’re correct, but it’s laughable because many lefties have long wished for higher prices to discourage consumption. Whichever side the facts favor, most pollsters look ahead and see a Democratic romp.  The Cook Political Report says that a Dem takeover of the House is a ‘done deal’ and the party may also re-take the Senate. Veteran political journalist Mark Halperin also foresees a ‘blue tsunami’ and says the ‘wheels are coming off’ the GOP.

 

The pollsters could be right, but it’s probably a good idea to harken back four years to the midterm elections in Joe Biden’s only term. We were assured there would be a ‘red wave’ and the next Congress would be flooded with Republicans. That never materialized, partly because the GOP nominated some very dubious candidates. The Dems actually increased their Senate margin by one seat and nearly held their House majority. The predicted wave was a trickle.

 

This time around it’s certainly possible, even likely, that Democrats will win the House and Hakeem Jeffries will be the next Speaker.  But believing Democrats will win the Senate requires some truly illogical leaps of logic. Will Michiganders actually elect El-Sayed, who doesn’t like this country very much?  Could Texans hand a victory to the very bizarre Talarico?  How about Maine, where oddball second-cousin-cohabiting Troy Jackson has taken the reins from Graham Platner? Or Alaska, where Mary Pelota seems to have a penchant for abusing staffers, both emotionally and physically?

 

At this moment, Democrats have the wind at their backs in terms of enthusiasm, while Republicans have more cash to spread around. One thing is certain - whichever party is celebrating on election night, the other guys will be harkening back to another quote from Dickens.  This will indeed be their ‘winter of despair.’