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Live from NPR news, I'm Dale Willman.

Republicans have control over the White House and Senate beginning in January, but the vote

counting for control of the House continues.

Democrats, meanwhile, are trying to figure out how they were beaten so broadly and

decisively.

NPR's Mar-Eliason reports.

Compared to 2020, Kamala Harris did worse with almost every voter group, including women.

Was it the fundamentals, high prices, and an unpopular president, or was it Biden's reluctance to step aside, leaving Harris too little time to develop a persona different from when she ran as a liberal candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2020?

How much did race and gender matter?

It was probably all of those things,

and now Democrats are confronting the possibility that there's a political realignment underway,

where Republicans are becoming a multiracial working-class party

that also gives tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations.

Democrats want to reverse that trend,

but first they have to figure out how. Mara Liason, NPR News. Looking ahead to the new Congress,

the biggest issue at hand right now is who will be the new Senate leader as Republicans take

control. MPR's Barbara Sprunt gives us some insight into the coming leadership battle. Senate Minority

Leader Mitch McConnell

is stepping down from leadership. We don't yet know who exactly will take his place. The top two

contenders are Senator John Cornyn of Texas, Senator John Thune of South Dakota. Cornyn previously served in

leadership. Thune is currently the second highest ranking Senate Republican. And Florida

...