Polls suggest that MAGA fanaticism might not be playing so well outside US President Donald Trump’s loyal base. But if the Democrats want to retake one or both chambers of Congress, they should concentrate on the economy and not answer Republican extremism with a culture war of their own.

NEW YORK—There are many reasons why then-US Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris lost the US presidential election to Donald Trump two years ago. Her campaign started too late. She inherited a great deal of anger against US President Joe Biden. And Trump is a gifted demagogue, who knows how to exploit fear-driven rage and hostility.