The expansion of the Democratic majority in the Senate brings tangible benefits, no more than the party’s ability to maintain outright majorities on committees, easing notably the procedural and time barriers for nominees.
But for President Biden in the weeks leading up to Senator Raphael Warnock’s victory, it also had a more deeply rooted prospect — one tied to his long-held prediction that Republicans will have what his aides have been told would amount to a “revelation.” which would accelerate a shift away from former President Donald Trump.
Biden believes, people familiar with his thinking say, that Trump’s grip on the party has steadily slipped in more important ways than it seems. It doesn’t apply to the entire party — Trump’s most staunch supporters are not seen by Biden as willing to leave his side, and White House officials are well aware of Trump’s unprecedented ability to make predictions about his political demise. that are too numerous to count, strike back. on this point.
But the broader view of a potential shift has come about in part through Biden’s private conversations with Republican lawmakers and was bolstered by midterm elections that showed consistent weakness — and losses — among the most prominent Trump-endorsed candidates.
Politically, the loss by yet another Trump-backed Republican Party nominee long known to carry noxious baggage is an obvious capstone of that element.
But a Warnock victory also has wider implications for Capitol Hill. Biden has spoken privately about his view that more Republicans may be willing to vote with Democrats on some issues and nominees if they are not seen as “the casting vote,” one of the people said.
The fear of facing a primary challenge — or Trump’s anger — resulting from that vote has closed the door for some Republicans to work with Democratic counterparts, Biden has told advisers.
“Nobody thinks it’s particularly brave, but the president sees it as a reality,” one of the advisers said of the dynamics a 50-50 Senate enacted.
It is not a view supported by the hope of major bipartisan agreements or sweeping legislative agreements, the adviser made clear. But at least, according to Biden, it’s another step toward loosening the implicit or explicit hold that Trump has maintained since leaving office.
