Overview
- On The Weekly Show, Stewart called the outcomes “amazing” before asking how Democrats will “piss this away” and declaring the party “a mess.”
- MSNBC’s Chris Hayes attributed the results to thermostatic public opinion and President Trump’s unpopularity as factors beyond Democrats’ control.
- Hayes said Democrats’ leverage lies in candidate recruitment, messaging, and campaign execution, which can either erode or extend their gains.
- David Plouffe projected that 2026 could be as favorable or better for Democrats, emphasizing candidate quality and maximizing the case against GOP opponents.
- The wins cited included gubernatorial and mayoral races and California’s Prop 50 redistricting measure, while Trump acknowledged Republican setbacks and pointed to the shutdown as a drag.