Democrats' 'blue wave' faces challenges in New Hampshire, reports show
Despite national optimism, some Democrats warn of vulnerabilities and Republican spending ahead of the midterms.
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made

Democrats' 'blue wave' faces challenges in New Hampshire, reports show
Photograph: Washington Top News (embedded from source)
What this story says
- Democratic enthusiasm is reportedly high five weeks before Election Day, with the party aiming for significant gains.
- Republicans are outspending Democrats on campaign advertising nationwide, with a notable advantage in New Hampshire.
- Some Democratic leaders and pollsters express concern over party vulnerabilities and Republican financial strength.
- Democratic pollster John Anzalone attributes potential wins to Republican weaknesses rather than Democratic strengths.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 31 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 4 of the 35 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
42/100
Craft
59/100
Hype
41/100
35 sources · methodology
Thin on the right so far
Only 3 of the 31 outlets with a published leaning rating that ran this story are rated right.
This story is still being watched, so it is a count and not yet a finding. Coverage keeps arriving for hours after an event, and a side that has published nothing this morning may publish by tonight. If it is still true when we stop checking, we will say so plainly.
With five weeks remaining until Election Day, Democratic enthusiasm is reportedly reaching a high point. The party is described as being on the offensive in areas such as Texas and Florida, with some leaders predicting control of the House and a strong chance for the Senate majority. However, reports also indicate that Democrats face vulnerabilities that could affect their electoral prospects.
A significant concern highlighted across reports is the financial advantage held by Republicans in campaign advertising. Nationwide, Republicans are spending more on advertising than Democrats. This disparity is particularly pronounced in key states, including New Hampshire, where Republicans are outspending Democrats on campaign advertising.
Disagreement on the source of Democratic success
Democratic pollster John Anzalone stated that Democratic success is due to Republican failures, not Democratic actions. He was quoted as saying, "It's nothing we're doing. We're winning because they're losing." This contrasts with other reports that suggest Democrats are actively pursuing an offensive strategy in various states.
What the coverage left out
None of the right-rated digests mention the specific figures for Republican and Democratic campaign advertising spending in New Hampshire or nationwide. The right-rated digests also do not include the quote from Democratic pollster John Anzalone about winning because Republicans are losing.
Still developing. We have re-checked which outlets are covering this 1 time, most recently on 30 Sept 2026, 16:15, and will add the sides that appear.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
14 rated outlets
- Left-rated reports highlighted concerns within the Democratic party regarding their electoral strategy and brand perception. These reports noted that Democratic leaders are sounding alarms about political challenges that could affect key races, such as Rep. Chris Pappas' campaign for an open Senate seat in New Hampshire. The financial advantage of Republicans in campaign advertising was also a recurring theme, with reports detailing the significant spending gap. Some digests mentioned that Democratic optimism is soaring but that vulnerabilities threaten the anticipated 'blue wave.'
Centre
14 rated outlets
- Centre-rated reports focused on the contrast between Democratic optimism and underlying challenges. These reports frequently cited New Hampshire as a key example where Democratic leaders are expressing concerns about potential threats to their campaigns, particularly Rep. Chris Pappas' Senate race. The substantial Republican spending advantage in advertising was a prominent detail, with specific figures provided for New Hampshire and other states like Texas, Ohio, and Florida. Some reports also included the quote from Democratic pollster John Anzalone about winning because Republicans are losing.
Right
3 rated outlets
- The right-rated reports focused on the initial assertion of high Democratic enthusiasm five weeks before Election Day. They also noted that Republicans are struggling to overcome President Donald Trump's low standing, leading Democrats to be on the offensive in Republican strongholds. These digests did not include specific details about campaign spending figures or internal Democratic concerns about vulnerabilities.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Democrats' 'blue wave' faces challenges in New Hampshire, reports show?
- Of the 31 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 45% are rated left, 45% are rated centre, 10% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 35. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Democrats' 'blue wave' faces challenges in New Hampshire, reports show left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 31 rated outlets on this story, 45% are rated left, 45% are rated centre, 10% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Democrats' 'blue wave' faces challenges in New Hampshire, reports show biased?
- Democrats' 'blue wave' faces challenges in New Hampshire, reports show is one event reported by 35 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which side is not reporting Democrats' 'blue wave' faces challenges in New Hampshire, reports show?
- When we first saw this story, outlets rated right had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.
- Which outlets covered Democrats' 'blue wave' faces challenges in New Hampshire, reports show?
- 35 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- What is the main concern for Democrats heading into the midterms?
- A primary concern for Democrats is the significant financial advantage Republicans hold in campaign advertising. Reports indicate Republicans are outspending Democrats nationwide and in key states like New Hampshire, which could impact electoral outcomes.
- How is New Hampshire being viewed in the context of the upcoming elections?
- New Hampshire is presented as a critical state and an example of the challenges Democrats face. Despite national optimism for a 'blue wave,' Democratic leaders in New Hampshire are reportedly sounding alarms about political hurdles and Republican spending.
- What is the Republican spending advantage?
- Republicans are outspending Democrats on campaign advertising nationwide. In New Hampshire specifically, reports state Republicans are spending $41.2 million compared to the Democrats' $35.4 million in the lead-up to the elections.
Read it at the source
35 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
14- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Sentinel Colorado in a new tab)
Sentinel Colorado — is Sentinel Colorado biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- A blue wave in November? NH shows why that's far from certain (opens NBC Boston in a new tab)
NBC Boston — is NBC Boston biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Toronto Star in a new tab)
The Toronto Star — is The Toronto Star biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Seattle Times in a new tab)
The Seattle Times — is The Seattle Times biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Daily Star in a new tab)
The Daily Star — is The Daily Star biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Richmond Register in a new tab)
Richmond Register — is Richmond Register biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Kokomo Tribune in a new tab)
Kokomo Tribune — is Kokomo Tribune biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Associated Press News in a new tab)
Associated Press News — is Associated Press News biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 6 more
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens ABC News in a new tab)
ABC News — is ABC News biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Sun Chronicle in a new tab)
The Sun Chronicle — is The Sun Chronicle biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave; New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Tribune-Democrat in a new tab)
The Tribune-Democrat — is The Tribune-Democrat biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Record in a new tab)
The Record — is The Record biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Hamilton Spectator in a new tab)
The Hamilton Spectator — is The Hamilton Spectator biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Durango Herald in a new tab)
Durango Herald — is Durango Herald biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
Centre
14- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen. (opens Boston.com in a new tab)
Boston.com — is Boston.com biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens KOB 4 in a new tab)
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens My Mother Lode in a new tab)
My Mother Lode — is My Mother Lode biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen – WTOP News (opens Washington Top News in a new tab)
Washington Top News — is Washington Top News biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that ma (opens WBAL in a new tab)
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Lawton Constitution in a new tab)
The Lawton Constitution — is The Lawton Constitution biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens mykxlg.com in a new tab)
mykxlg.com — is mykxlg.com biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Daily News-Record in a new tab)
Daily News-Record — is Daily News-Record biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
Show 6 more
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Henry Herald in a new tab)
Henry Herald — is Henry Herald biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens The Northern Virginia Daily in a new tab)
The Northern Virginia Daily — is The Northern Virginia Daily biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens WSLS in a new tab)
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens WKMG in a new tab)
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens WPLG in a new tab)
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Winnipeg Free Press in a new tab)
Winnipeg Free Press — is Winnipeg Free Press biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
Right
3- AP Analysis: Democrats Want a Blue Wave. New Hampshire Is Exhibit A for Why That May Not Happen (opens The National Herald in a new tab)
The National Herald — is The National Herald biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Daily Jefferson County Union in a new tab)
Daily Jefferson County Union — is Daily Jefferson County Union biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens MY Northwest in a new tab)
MY Northwest — is MY Northwest biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
Not rated
4- Democrats Want a Blue Wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for Why That May Not Happen (opens The Well News in a new tab)
The Well News — is The Well News biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens Loonie Politics in a new tab)
Loonie Politics — is Loonie Politics biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens pmg-ky3.com in a new tab)
pmg-ky3.com — is pmg-ky3.com biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Democrats want a blue wave. New Hampshire is Exhibit A for why that may not happen (opens KXL in a new tab)
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