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[[Americans are about to hold a national election to determine control of the US Congress for the next two years. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are at stake, along with one-third of the 100-member U.S. Senate. Republicans hold majorities in both houses of Congress, and the party also controls the White House, enabling Republicans to have their way on issues such as immigration, the economy and foreign policy. 

The so-called Midterm Election on November 6 comes halfway through President Donald Trump's first four-year term in office. VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone reports that despite the many issues dividing Americans, Democrats and Republicans do seem to agree that the central issue in this election is the President of the United States.]]


((NARRATOR))
For President Donald Trump, this year's midterm elections are personal.

((PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP))
"All of this extraordinary progress is at stake.It is at stake.I am not on the ballot. But in a certain way, I am on the ballot, so please, go out and vote. Go out and vote."

((NARRATOR))
But as much as Trump motivates his core supporters, he also energizes critics like Jenny Heinz.

((JENNY HEINZ, PROTESTOR))
"There is an active resistance to this president who is operating as if he is above the law."

((NARRATOR))
Trump is the central figure in this year's election, says American University analyst David Barker.

((DAVID BARKER, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY))
"Yes, Democrats from the day after the election in 2016 have been waiting for this day, and it is all about Trump. Trump fully embraces that. He wants it to be all about him."

((NARRATOR))
Trump has accelerated a trend to nationalize congressional elections, says Lara Brown.

((LARA BROWN, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY))
"It really is now all national and everyone is kind of looking at this as either a referendum for or against the president and his party."

((NARRATOR))
For Trump and his base, it makes sense, says former Trump strategist Steve Bannon.

((STEVE BANNON, FORMER TRUMP ADVISER))
"I think if you make this a national referendum and nationalize this election on the success of President Trump's program, it is a clear winner and I think the Democrats get crushed."

((NARRATOR))
But others are skeptical, including former Republican National Chairman Michael Steele.

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((MICHAEL STEELE, FORMER RNC CHAIR))
"Alright, fine, you want it to be about you? Well, every candidate on the ballot now has to account for your behavior, has to account for your tweets."

((NARRATOR))
Trump is likely to generate higher Democratic turnout, says Maryland Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger.

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((REP. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER, DEMOCRAT))
"When all you do is care about yourself and not about people, not about what they need, like your seniors needing medical care, and you just want to look good and knock them out (politically), which is happening, this is hurting.And this is why, I think, a lot of people will come out (to vote)."

((NARRATOR))
But the president does not seem to be worried, preferring instead to rally his own supporters, says Gallup pollster Frank Newport.

((FRANK NEWPORT, GALLUP POLLING))
"He has kind of given up on attempting to broaden his appeal it looks like.It fits more with his style.He has, as we all know, a very combative style.He likes to have enemies because that gives him somebody to fight against, so it would be hard for a president like Trump anyway to try to broaden his appeal."

((NARRATOR))
Donald Trump's name will not appear on the November 6th election ballots. But the results could determine the future of his presidency. 

((JIM MALONE, VOA NEWS, WASHINGTON))


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[[Historically, midterm elections are not kind to the party of the president in office, gaining seats just twice in midterms since 1950. The average number of House of Representatives seats lost by the president's party in midterms is 24. For Democrats to win back control of the House of Representatives, they need to gain 23 seats.]]