Raymond La Raja, political science and associate director of the UMass Poll, is quoted in a story about Democrats trying to hold on to their majorities in the House and Senate after the midterm elections. The president’s unpopularity creates an even more challenging environment, the article states. “Approval numbers help you gain power within the beltway, people are less willing to screw with you if you have high approval numbers,” La Raja says. “People want to get on the bandwagon when they think you're a popular president, they're more likely to negotiate with you so within governing itself, it matters.” (WCHS-TV [Charleston, W.V.], 10/27/22)