The big guns are out. Donald Trump has three rallies planned before election day. Barack Obama has popped up in several battleground states. The former presidents will, separately, converge on Pennsylvania at the weekend, where Obama will be joined by a lesser-spotted figure on the trail: President Biden. What’s at stake in these midterm elections?

The Economist’s Elliott Morris assesses what pundits have got wrong about the campaign. We consider why Democratic warnings about the future of democracy aren’t cutting through. And the Republican Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin summarises his party’s closing arguments.

John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon.

On Thursday November 10th subscribers can join the Checks and Balance team for a live Q&A discussion about the midterm results. Sign up now at economist.com/checksevent.

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