Are the Democrats ready to win back Congress?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 3 April 2026
⏱️ 39 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Excitement has been building among some Democrats after the party won a special election in Florida last week in a district that includes Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach. This win, along with several others recently, suggests the party may have the momentum heading into November’s midterm elections, when they’ll be looking to reclaim control of the House, and possibly even the Senate. Despite the optimism, some Democrats are cautious about the party’s progress as frustration builds over internal divisions within the party.
In today’s episode, Justin and Sumi sit down with key Democratic adviser Jim Messina, who was deputy chief of staff to Barack Obama and the mastermind behind his successful 2012 presidential campaign. He gives his thoughts on how the party needs to approach the midterm elections and the main contenders to take over leadership of the party.
Presenter: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter and Sumi Somaskanda, BBC chief presenter Producer: Emma Close with Alix Pickles and led by George Dabby Technical producer: Mike Regaard Senior news editor: Sam Bonham
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:07.2 | If you're the person always being asked, what's happening in the news? |
| 0:10.9 | You could do with a podcast wingman. |
| 0:13.3 | Newscast is just that, a little voice in your ear, |
| 0:16.5 | giving you a deeper understanding of what's going on in the world. |
| 0:19.5 | We won't even mind if you try and take the credit yourself. |
| 0:22.4 | Listen to Newscast every day on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:26.3 | Other Democrats really back. |
| 0:27.8 | As a political force in the United States, |
| 0:29.9 | they've been knocked sideways by Donald Trump, |
| 0:32.1 | but they seem to be fighting back |
| 0:34.4 | and crucially winning elections. |
| 0:37.1 | Can they win in the biggest of the elections, |
| 0:39.4 | the midterms in November? Welcome to AmeriCast. Americaast. Americaast from BBC News. You hear that sound? |
| 0:49.9 | Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. |
| 0:57.9 | This is a big cover-up, and this administration is engaged in it. |
| 1:01.2 | This guy has Trump-arrangement syndrome. |
| 1:03.1 | I have four words for you. Turn the volume up. |
| 1:12.0 | Hello, is Justin in the worldwide headquarters of Americaast in London, England. |
| 1:15.9 | Hello, it's Sumi, joining from my home in Washington, D.C. |
| 1:19.6 | And we have a special guest, Sumi, we're going to get to in a bit. |
| 1:23.1 | And when I say a special guest, I really do mean it this time, round. |
... |
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