For GOP and Dems, Time to Manage Expectations

And now it is time to set expectations. Democrats and Republicans — politicians, spinners, pundits and, yes, a certain sitting President — are going to spend a lot of time before Nov. 2 letting the world know what they think the outcome of the midterm elections is going to be. Or, rather, offering up some statements that are less reasoned predictions than manipulative machinations.

This is an age-old practice, owing more to art than science. Sometimes the right play is to express unbridled confidence, signaling voters that it is time to get on the winning team and nudging the press to believe that momentum is in the house.