Podcast Summary: Consider This from NPR

Episode: What This Week’s Elections Could Mean for the Midterms
Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Juana Summers
Guests: Domenico Montanaro (Senior Political Editor & Correspondent), Tamara Keith (Senior White House Correspondent)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the results of the recent off-year elections, which saw significant Democratic victories in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City. The discussion explores whether these results point to a broader trend leading into the 2026 midterm elections, how both major political parties are interpreting the outcomes, and what strategic adjustments might be on the horizon for Democrats and Republicans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Initial Reactions to Election Results

• Democratic Wins: Democrats secured key victories—mayor in New York City, governor in New Jersey, and Virginia.
• Both parties are assigning meaning (or dismissing significance) to these wins in relation to the upcoming midterms.
• Quote (00:10): “We analyze elections and we pretend to know what's going to happen a year from now. But the truth is the headlines will change so many times between now and the midterm elections in November of 2026.”
  — Larry Sabato (via Domenico Montanaro)

2. Political Spin from Both Parties

• Democratic Perspective:
  • Many see the election as a referendum on Donald Trump and the current administration’s handling of key issues.
  • Quote (00:32): “This was a sign that voters are unhappy with the current administration. The status quo is not working for voters. It was very much a referendum on Trump.”
• Republican Response:
  • Downplaying the results as typical ("blue states elected blue leaders") and not predictive for the midterms.
  • Quote (00:57): “Off year election results in isolated places are never indicative of the upcoming midterm election. The GOP is in excellent position to win big next year.”
    — House Speaker Mike Johnson (via Domenico Montanaro)

3. How Democrats Are Feeling and Their Strategy Going Forward

• Mood Shift: After tough losses, Democrats sense renewed momentum and unity—especially around cost-of-living concerns.
• Quote (04:01): “The Democratic Party is back. The Democratic Party is a party of affordability, and the Democratic Party is full steam ahead to take back Congress next year.”
  — Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Chairman
• Key Message: Affordability and cost of living are unifying themes across ideological lines in the party.
• Democrats aim to avoid fractious debates on social issues and climate, staying focused on economic messaging.
• Quote (05:42): “He [John Lawrence, fmr. Pelosi chief of staff] says Democrats just need to stick with this affordability message going into the midterms, cost of living, groceries, power bills, housing costs, and not let themselves get distracted by social issues or climate change or the democracy stuff.”
  — Tamara Keith

4. Republican Strategy and Challenges

• Trump’s Take: Trump claims to have improved the economy but voters feel differently, especially regarding everyday expenses.
• Quote (06:07): “Trump won in 2024 because of the cost of living and he promised to fix it. But what he qualifies as a great economy isn't resonating with voters.”
  — Domenico Montanaro
• Messaging Gap: Trump and GOP leadership tend to focus on macro indicators (like the stock market, gas prices), but voters are experiencing higher living costs, partly due to tariffs.
• Candidate Challenges: Republican candidates in swing districts may need to differentiate themselves from Trump without completely alienating his base.
• Quote (07:44): “Especially in the blue and purple states, there has to be some differentiation from Trump. Doesn’t mean you have to completely distance yourself, but... show some level of independence and some level of individuality.”
  — Mike Du, Republican strategist (via Domenico Montanaro)
• Recognizes the era of the "celebrity politician" and voter frustration with those in power, regardless of party.

5. Broader Electoral Dynamics and Leadership Uncertainties

• Presidential Approval Trend: Six of the last seven midterm elections had presidents with approval below 50%, setting up a tough landscape for the party in power.
• Democratic Leadership: Lacks a single, clear national figure, which could be decided by the next presidential primary.
• Republican Identity Post-Trump: Uncertainty remains about the GOP’s direction after Trump, given his demands for loyalty.
• Quote (09:19): “In this era of anger and skepticism at presidents, being out of power gives the advantage to Democrats heading into next year's midterms.”
  — Domenico Montanaro

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• 00:10 — Larry Sabato: “We analyze elections and we pretend to know what's going to happen a year from now... the headlines will change so many times between now and the midterm elections.”
• 04:01 — Ken Martin: “The Democratic Party is back. The Democratic Party is a party of affordability, and the Democratic Party is full steam ahead to take back Congress next year.”
• 05:28 — Domenico Montanaro: “For all the focus on on Mamdani, if you listen to Spamberger or Sheryl's acceptance speeches, they're all talking the same language... they're talking about affordability.”
• 06:07 — Domenico Montanaro: “Trump won in 2024 because of the cost of living and he promised to fix it. But what he qualifies as a great economy isn't resonating with voters.”
• 07:44 — Mike Du: “Especially in the blue and purple states, there has to be some differentiation from Trump. Doesn’t mean you have to completely distance yourself, but there has to be... some level of individuality.”
• 09:19 — Domenico Montanaro: “In this era of anger and skepticism at presidents, being out of power gives the advantage to Democrats heading into next year's midterms.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 — Episode opens with major Democratic victories and what they might signal
• 03:07 — Juana Summers recaps the election results and introduces Domenico Montanaro and Tamara Keith for analysis
• 03:43 — Breakdown of Democratic morale post-election
• 04:38 — Discussion of ideological diversity and unifying economic messaging
• 05:57 — Impact of Trump’s economic claims and their resonance with voters
• 06:27-07:36 — GOP strategy and Trump’s influence over party messaging
• 07:44-09:19 — Challenges facing both parties, historic trends, and outlook for the midterms

Conclusion

This episode of Consider This provides a well-rounded, candid look at the 2025 off-year political landscape. While both parties are busy spinning the narrative, the real takeaway is the importance of economic issues, particularly affordability and cost of living, to voters. Regardless of partisan bluster, both Democrats and Republicans must adjust their approaches for the midterms in a political environment increasingly defined by economic anxieties and skepticism towards those in power.