Welcome to the beat. I'm Ari Melbert, and this election week continues so we can cue the music.

We are still awaiting calls on this Friday night, just as we were Tuesday night.

Control of Congress still hangs in the balance, counting continuing in states like Arizona,

where Democrats hold an edge. In Nevada, it's neck and neck. They have more counting left than most states.

And control of the House is still too early to call. Republicans are projected to nearly win back the House with no red wave in the cards and counting continues. So we will keep reporting on this until we get all the final results. But the vast majority of races are decided. Biden and Democrats outperform most recent incumbent presidents,

including Obama and Clinton in similar midterms.

Candidates tied to Trump and his brand of MAGA Big Lie politics repeatedly did worse than more old-school Republicans.

And a Republican Party that's publicly loyal to Trump in extreme terms,

as we've all experienced for the last five years, is suddenly quite clearly saying the obvious.

Trump dragged that party down and fanned extreme insurrection adjacent politics that made

the GOP really blow it in what was a big opportunity.

Part of the problem, I don't think there's any question in my mind that hurt Republicans all over, is Donald Trump.

Some were also knuckleheads with strange beliefs and closets full of problems.

Many of these remarkably weak candidates came courtesy of Donald Trump.

There's a very high correlation between MAGA candidates and big losses. A true leader understands

that it's time to step off the stage. Going into 2024, the Republicans are going to be

looking for candidates who are focused on winning, not just

making a point or settling a score.

We have a tremendous opportunity going forward. Donald Trump should not be a part of that.

I just wish he would ride off into the sunset.

Hmm. You see that on the airwaves. That's happening right now since Tuesday. Note, it is the kind of reception that losing candidates usually get immediately after their loss. The GOP was quick to ditch Mitt Romney as a future presidential candidate once he'd lost to Obama. Did over John McCain. Trump largely avoided that treatment within his party in the last two years for the reasons we know.

He's been a fighter with a kind of loyal minority base, which literally scares Republicans,

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