Mark Halperin’s reported monologue reveals what political insiders in both parties say about the state of the 2026 midterm elections, asking whether Republicans have waited too long for the political environment to turn in their favor, and what it will take to change the trajectory. Then, Michael Knowles joins to give his preview the midterms and look ahead to the next Republican presidential race, including what a Vice President J.D. Vance versus Sen. Ted Cruz showdown for the 2028 GOP nomination would look like.