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The Economist.

Charles Dickens was not known for equivocation. In 1842, on his first visit to America,

the novelist and journalist came to Washington. He visited Congress every day, walking the halls, sitting in the

galleries and taking notes. He was unimpressed. Dickens described what he saw as the meanest perversion of virtuous political machinery

that the worst tools ever wrought.

While the carpets were nice, Dickens conceded, he was disgusted by the spitting, the despicable

trickery at elections, and underhanded tamperings.

It is the game of these men, he wrote, to make the strife of politics so fierce and brutal

that sensitive and delicate-minded persons shall be kept aloof.

This year, on Novemberth, 469 jobs in Congress are up for election.

Will delicate-minded persons once again be kept aloof. With 213 days to go until the 2024 election,

I'm John Prado, and this is checks and balance from the economist.

Each week we take one big theme shaping American politics and explore it in depth. Today, what's at stake in the congressional elections this year? year.

While America's focus has been on the presidential election,

the race for Congress,

while America's focus has been on the presidential election, the race for Congress is even more volatile.

...