Midterms Near: NBC Poll Shows Democratic Lead as Right Highlights Socialism Poll, Voter Anger

Democrats lead Republicans 52%-45% among registered voters on which party should control Congress, an NBC News poll conducted Oct. 28-30 found, days before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The lead is two points larger than last month's and includes 21 points among independents; 3% were undecided. President Donald Trump's disapproval rating reached 60%, though voters rated the parties about even on key issues and Republicans in GOP-held districts stayed with their party. All 435 House seats and about a third of the 100 Senate seats are up. A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll found 52% of registered voters view socialism unfavorably, up from 48% in August, with 25% favorable. House Majority Leader Mike Johnson said Friday that a Democratic sweep could end the free market system.

Left-leaning NBC News and The Guardian US center on Trump and the balance of power. NBC leads with the Democrats' 7-point edge, record disapproval of Trump and a desire for change, while noting the Democratic Party's own unpopularity. The Guardian offers an explainer treating the vote as a referendum on Trump, noting he urged voters to pretend he is on the ballot and describing possible legislative paralysis and White House investigations. Right-leaning outlets look elsewhere. The Washington Examiner leads with the socialism poll and warnings from Trump and Johnson, and names Democrats Troy Jackson and Abdul el Sayed as socialist-leaning Senate challengers. Fox News Digital relays voter interviews suggesting opposition drives votes more than support, with Democrats citing Trump's administration. Both acknowledge discontent with Trump but differ on whether the story is Democratic strength or the party's left flank. Alternative outlets had not reported the story at the time of writing.