Biden could celebrate a midterm victory, though key races remain close

What were the surprises left by the US elections?

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(CNN) --

President Joe Biden will hold a news conference Wednesday after appearing to weather the historical and political winds against him during the midterm elections, holding off resounding Republican victories even as his presidency it probably now enters a new period of divided government.

The results were neither the "beating" George W. Bush described during his 2006 post-midterm election press conference, nor the "beating" Barack Obama said Democrats suffered in 2010.

In contrast, the fact that the so-called "red wave" did not materialize on Tuesday night made Democrats, including those inside the White House, feel excited and vindicated after an election season in which the Biden's political aptitude.

"We have defied historical trends," a senior Biden adviser told CNN.

"It's quite extraordinary if you think about it."

ANALYSIS |

Donald Trump made the most "trumpist" comment of all about the elections

The results seemed more likely to spark soul-searching among Republicans than Democrats, with former President Donald Trump hinting at an imminent announcement that he will run for the White House again.

Many of the candidates Trump supported in the races lost or were trapped in races with uncertain outcomes.

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Still, Biden and his team still face the prospect of a difficult two years in office if Republicans take control of the House of Representatives.

The president's agenda would likely be heavily constrained without a Democratic majority.

In addition, Republicans have promised to investigate the government and Biden's family.

Exit polls also showed that voter discontent with the country's economic health remains simmering.

About three-quarters of voters nationally said the economy is "bad" or "not good," and the same proportion said inflation has caused them severe or moderate hardship.

About two-thirds said gasoline prices have made it hard for them.

Voters take a dim view of the country as a whole, with more than 7 in 10 saying they are "dissatisfied" or "angry."

• Midterm elections in the United States: “The rest of the Biden presidency is at stake”

For the president, improving the country's gloomy mood will be an ongoing challenge, even as Democrats outperformed expectations on Tuesday.

Without a majority in the House, his tools to do so will be more limited.

Biden spent most of his campaign season focused on economic issues, including issues on which he took steps to cut costs.

But he drew some criticism, including from some Democrats, for expanding his closing message to include abortion rights and defending democracy.

Looking ahead to Tuesday's results, Biden advisers were prepared to defend the tactic and had historical data showing that Democrats were doing better this year than in previous midterm election cycles, which typically translate to losses for the ruling party.

However, Biden is likely to avoid accusations and questioning.

Even with the losses in the House of Representatives, this year's results are among the best for the ruling party in recent memory.

By comparison, the Democrats lost 54 seats in 1994, when President Bill Clinton was in office.

And in Obama's first midterm elections, his party lost 63 seats.

It also remains to be seen whether the results alter Biden's idea of ​​running for a second term.

The president has said that he intends to seek reelection, and members of his team have begun initial preparations before making a final decision.

But a decision likely won't come until next year, after he has discussed the matter with his family over the holidays.

midterm electionsJoe Biden