U.S. midterms put everyday frustrations alongside a president’s ambitions for his place in history. Don Abelson, professor of political science at McMaster University, helps you assess why attention abroad can become a political liability at home.
What happens when voters feel their own priorities have slipped out of view? Don draws a comparison with an earlier Republican president whose foreign-policy focus became a problem with Americans. The parallel offers another way to think about what voters may be judging.
And if your concern is Canada’s relationship with its neighbour, the stakes extend beyond one election. What would a future president have to repair? Don’s assessment of trust and reputation brings the conversation back to the allies watching from outside.
Topics: U.S. midterms, presidential legacy, domestic priorities, foreign policy, allied relations
GUEST: Don Abelson
Originally aired on2026-11-03
