The Smerconish Podcast · Episode 2102 · November 5, 2026 · 29 min

The Biggest Winner of the 2026 Midterms Wasn't the Democrats

Democrats won control of Congress, President Trump accepted defeat, and America experienced something increasingly rare: an election without widespread chaos or controversy. But Michael argues the biggest victory of the 2026 midterms wasn't political—it was a victory for democracy itself. Drawing on commentary from The Atlantic and The Wall Street Journal, Michael explores why the peaceful execution of Election Day deserves celebration, regardless of which party won. He also questions whether the convenience of early voting and mail-in ballots has cost Americans something valuable: the shared civic experience of standing alongside neighbors, even those with whom they passionately disagree. Plus, callers weigh in on election integrity, Trump's defeat, the future of congressional investigations, and the surprising challenges of voting in states with extraordinarily long ballots. Is Election Day becoming a lost American tradition? It's a conversation about democracy, community, and what it really means to participate in the American experiment. Original air date 5 November 2026.