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We know the Democrats won the House, and the Republicans held the Senate. But what does it all mean? We give you our takes on the trends Republicans and Democrats will be paying attention to as they look to the 2020 presidential election campaigns. And more: we place our bets on likely Democratic presidential challengers; plus who is The Dead Pimp, and how did he get elected? Tune in to find out...

What is being voted on? What is the state of the polling? Which House and Senate races are close and interesting? What major issues will be driving people at the polls? All this and more...

In episode 5 of this miniseries, we take you behind the 'Blue Wave' into the ideological battle between progressives and moderates in the Democratic party. We also look into some of the OTHER measures being voted on in these midterms -- like the State congressional race in Texas, and a ballot initiative for felon voting in Florida -- and why voter ID requirements for voting are often so controversial. Plus, some weird American dating apps you may never have heard of (you're welcome), what Disney has to do with Ted and Heidi Cruz, and the math behind House polling (but, like, interesting). For additional reading: The Atlantic article about Heidi Cruz https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/10/heidi-cruz-ted-his-senate-bid-and-2016-race/573256/ Ballotpedia (great for other ballot measures being voted on these midterms) https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page More on ballot questions that might be unexpectedly meaningful in these midterms https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-ballot-initiative-battleground/ 13 weird dating apps you may never have heard of https://www.businessinsider.com/the-weirdest-dating-apps-weve-seen-2016-1      

In episode 4 we’re mildly successful at avoiding frenzied debates about Kavanaugh. Instead, we look at how the economy actually affects the election. We also share some insane statistics about felons who are not allowed to vote and we have some positive feelings about Twitter. Yes, it’s possible.   For additional reading: A study about how celebrity endorsements might affect voting https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15213269.2017.1378109   The nicest twitter account, at least for now https://twitter.com/@thatwasmymom   Statistics about the millions of convicted felons not allowed to vote https://felonvoting.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000287   Voting registration deadlines for each state https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/06/us/politics/state-voter-registration-deadlines.html   How good is the Trump economy really? https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/09/upshot/how-good-is-the-trump-economy-really.html   It’s NOT the economy, stupid! https://news.gallup.com/poll/242189/record-low-cite-economic-issues-top-problem.aspx   Trump won because of racial resentment, not economic anxiety https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/12/15/16781222/trump-racism-economic-anxiety-study

Why might healthcare prove to be THE decisive issue in these midterms? How do primaries work, and what is next now that they are over? Plus, we recap what Stormy Daniels had to say about Trump's ... special place, and ask for your help finding the best candidate names these midterms. 

How well do you know Trump voters? And which Americans could determine the outcome of these midterms by showing up to vote (or by staying home...)? Plus, we discuss whether there a turning point happening in team Trump, and who we think wrote THAT anonymous op-ed in The New York Times. Show notes: Take this quiz to see how well you know who voted for Trump: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/09/upshot/trump-voters-how-theyve-changed.html Books to help you understand the Trump-voting-white-working-class phenomenon: -Hillbilly Elegy -Strangers in Their Own Land -Deer Hunting with Jesus Books we found helpful in understanding voter psychology: -Democracy for Realists by Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels -The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt 

In the pilot episode of WTH, America? German journalist, Christian Fahrenbach, and Australian journalist, Alex Eggerking, explain WTH the midterms are, where things stand in the races, and what is going on with that Russia investigation. Plus find out WTH mythical creature erotica has to do with the US midterms.