Copyright The New York Times
Frank Bruni, a contributing Opinion writer, hosted a written online conversation on Thursday with Kristen Soltis Anderson, a contributing Opinion writer and Republican pollster, and Nate Silver, the author of “On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything” and the newsletter Silver Bulletin, to assess this week’s elections — who won, who lost and what it means for American politics. Frank Bruni: Kristen, Nate, welcome to one of the very, very rare weeks since Donald Trump’s election last November in which Democrats are, at least metaphorically, dancing in the streets. And the jitterbug seems justified! No? What does the nitty-gritty of Tuesday’s returns definitively say — or not say — about Democrats’ resuscitated hopes and changed fortunes, and are there a few results that you find most compelling? Kristen Soltis Anderson: Tuesday’s results are a reminder that nothing is forever in politics. Pronouncements that coalitions have changed and one party has captured the hearts of a demographic group are always susceptible to events. Groups like young voters, or Latino voters, did not become forever Republicans after the 2024 elections. In short: Parties have to deliver or voters will look to the alternative. Bruni: Kristen, you’re killing my buzz. Queering my jitterbug. But I hear you and agree: Some perspective — and a great deal of caution — are in order. Nate Silver: What stands out is that this really was a clean sweep. To steal the headline I used at my own newsletter, it was a 10 out of 10 night for Democrats. They won basically everywhere they wanted to win, and they won big. Democrats not only won everywhere — they also beat their polls, especially in New Jersey. So it’s at least possible that polls of a broad cross sections of voters — right now, most of the polling you see of 2026 or Trump’s approval is conducted among registered voters or all adults, not likely voters — actually underestimate how much of a drag Trump is on Republicans. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
