These voters are looking for change, but don't have high hopes for a divided Congress

LIASSON: Right. They keep on voting for change and not getting it, so they vote for change again. Again, the focus groups matched the polls, which is why focus groups are helpful because polling tells us what voters think, focus groups tell us why. It's very clear that the main issue for these voters was high prices. They talked about Washington doing very specific things to lower prices. They want Washington to end President Trump's tariffs and the war in Iran, if the new Congress can do that. Of course, as you know, it's the president who's responsible for tariffs and wars. That's an executive function. So Democrats will remain limited in what they can do to satisfy these voters.

DETROW: Right. And given that, I'm curious if these voters think this new divided government can lower prices, for example.

LIASSON: That's right. I think the main takeaway here is that while voters voted for change, they actually have low expectations that things will change, not a lot of confidence that Democrats can deliver. There was a lot of cynicism among our focus groups about politics. These voters essentially see a kind of tit for tat unfolding between the two parties. And here are two voters, Steven (ph) and Scott (ph).

STEVEN: I think, realistically, it just means nothing's going to happen for the next two years. President Trump would veto anything that comes to his desk, and the House and Senate majorities are not veto-proof, either. So literally nothing will happen for the next two years.

SCOTT: I don't expect Trump to compromise on things. It's been very much my way or get out of my way.

LIASSON: Now, several voters talked about this - the idea that President Trump is set in his ways, won't compromise on anything. They also talked about their concerns that Democrats will overreach or focus too much on investigations and not enough on the cost of living. We know from exit polling that voters in this election did connect Trump and corruption with high prices. And we know Democrats have said they plan to put affordability first and accountability second, but these voters are worried it will be the other way around.

DETROW: Mara, what was that George W. Bush line about the soft bigotry of low expectations, right?

LIASSON: Yeah, right.

DETROW: I mean, these are low expectations they have for Democrats. What do you make of that?

LIASSON: Well, on one hand, it could be good for Democrats to have low expectations 'cause then it's an easier hurdle to overcome, but it's also a challenge because if nothing happens on prices during this Congress, how will voters see that? Will they say Trump was in the way, or will they agree with Democrats that they need to give Democrats the White House, or will they flip back and say Republicans need to be in charge? This is going to be a challenge for Democrats.

This is the kind of election - very deep, broad, big change - that in the past, has laid the groundwork for a successful presidential election for the new party in power. That's what happened in 2006 - laid the groundwork for the 2008 Obama victory. So this - historical rules only work till they stop working, but this should set up Democrats, if they can take advantage of it. Remember, last week, voters gave Democrats an opportunity, not a mandate.

DETROW: That is NPR senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Thanks, Mara.

LIASSON: You're welcome.

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