When is a Win Not a Win? The Missing "Red Wave"

Like so many other Americans, I've been glued to the television since last night.  And while many races remain undecided, it's clear the GOP has tallied some wins.

But there's probably a lot of frustration in Republican ranks this morning, since they could have been much more successful, IF ONLY...

And this is where counterfactual history proves its value.

If the GOP leadership is remotely sane (and that's open to question) they will take some time today and reflect deeply on the many missed opportunities to register a more decisive triumph in the midterms.  If they had only rejected election denialism, run more centrist candidates, separated themselves from Donald Trump's toxic brand -- if, if, if.  The list goes on.

As I detail in my forthcoming book, What Ifs and the West, major historians, from Isaiah Berlin to Hugh Trevor-Roper, have explicitly noted that we can only appreciate what happened in light of what MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED.

There's no clearer illustration of the importance of counterfactual history than the missing “red wave” in last night’s election.