US Congressional Elections: The Hope of Democrats

It is not news that Donald Trump only uses mocking names for people he takes seriously. What is new is at most the level that reaches unprecedented lows. Recently, U.S. President Jon Ossoff, the Senator from Georgia, called a “miserably failed dumocrat” and added an addition to his name: “Os(jerk)off”. The democrat is therefore not only "stupid", but also a "witcher". When Ossoff was later asked about it, he calmly replied that Trump was a disgrace as president. He was humiliated on the world stage by his failed war – and he was pounding billions for himself and his family, while ordinary Americans would have to pay more for gas, food and their medicines. Ossoff’s team then decided to share Trump’s vulgar post on social media to raise funds: One must prevent “MAGA” from taking over Georgia, the message was. Trump had initiated his slurs on his platform Truth Social with the remark that he was so happy about the highly respected Representative Mike Collins, who will win the Senate election in Georgia. It sounded like whistling in the forest. Because in truth Collins has difficulties, in surveys Ossoff is ahead. In the midterm elections in November, Ossoff is the only Democratic senator to have to defend his seat in a state that Trump won in 2024. He never tires of highlighting this when collecting donations. The race in Georgia could decide on the majority in the second chamber of Congress. Not for the first time. “They take Trump really crooked” In a fish bar in Thunderbolt on Georgia’s coast, on a sultry day in early October, Carl Smith sits in front of a portion of “crabcakes and grits,” cancer buffers with corn groats, a classic Southern court. Smith lives in Thunderbolt, a suburb of Savannah. He is known here as the longtime chairman of the Republicans in Chatham County. He co-organized several election campaigns. He is also committed to the upcoming congressional elections, even though he gave up the party chairmanship some time ago. The last encounter with Smith, who works in the distribution of a manufacturer of fire trucks, is four years ago. There were also “midterms” at that time. Raphael Warnock, the second Senator of the Democrats, had to defend his seat. In a traditionally red, i.e. Republican state, which went to the blue camp in 2020, which had a lot to do with Trump. Smith is currently partially reminded of the situation of 2022, when Warnock competed against a weak opponent, a former football professional, whom Trump had enforced. It feels a bit like a déjà vu, says the 57-year-old man: Collins has difficulty mobilizing the independent voters and moderate Republicans. In addition, there is headwind from Washington: People only talked about the price of gasoline and the Iran war. “They take Trump really crooked,” says Smith. That was his “greatest mistake.” Set in the historic old town of Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city, whose origins date back to colonial times, Spanish moss hangs like a veil from the ancient oaks. Little suggests that a new Congress will be elected in early November. In the residential areas, some residents have put party signs in the front garden. From time to time, volunteers also move around for the front-door election campaign. Otherwise, it is a pure media campaign – with TV spots and clips on social media. Chatham County is – just like the capital Atlanta – a stronghold of the Democrats in Georgia. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris scored nearly 60 percent in the Savannah area. Nevertheless, the Democrats must mobilize their supporters here, especially the African Americans, who make up 37 percent of the population. In the middle of the month, the postal election began in Georgia. As in Georgia, it is currently all over the country – even if Trump has now begun his tour and invites to his notorious rallies: The election campaign is going on like this. The President is trying to mobilize his base by saying that one should pretend that his name is on the ballot. It does not. And Republicans therefore fear double harm: many ardent MAGA people could not go to the election because it is not about the leader of the movement. And moderates could deny Trump their vote out of disappointment over the government balance sheet, as polls suggest. The Democrats are confident, some – like Ossoff – are even brimming with self-confidence. For the party, November is about nothing less than the question of whether the Americans will erect a dam against Trump’s authoritarian wave, i.e. reinstall the system of “checks and balances”, the controls and counterweights. If the Democrats win back Congress, they can put Trump a little on a leash: block bills, set up investigative committees and prevent the granting of funds. While the prospects of the Democrats to win back the majority in the House of Representatives have been good for a long time, the second chamber seemed out of reach until recently. That has now changed. Trump’s approval ratings are at a historic low – and he drags down candidates in several states. In the Senate, the Democrats must win four seats – and must not lose one. This is still ambitious, it is not impossible. Georgia is again "battleground," the political battlefield, says Smith, the Republican. Over the years, he has moved further to the right. As a young man, while still engaged in the union, Smith was an independent. In 1992, he elected Bill Clinton. The Democrats are..