The November midterm vote will be shaped less by party slogans than by the judgments voters make about their daily lives: whether prices feel manageable, whether their communities feel safe, and whether Washington is listening. Neither party can assume that frustration with its opponent automatically amounts to trust in itself.

The economy is the clearest test. Recent national surveys show that 84 percent of registered voters consider it very important to their vote. That includes 88 percent of voters supporting Democratic House candidates and 82 percent supporting Republicans. Democrats hold an 8-point advantage in the national House preference question, 44 percent to 36 percent. Those figures describe the national mood, not the likely outcome in every district.

For Democrats, this creates an opening. Voters anxious about prices, healthcare and the direction of the country may be receptive to a party promising relief and oversight. Democratic-leaning voters are more likely than Republican-leaning voters to say healthcare, education and the future of democracy are very important to their vote. Voters also express greater trust in Democrats to address healthcare costs and the cost of living.

But an opening is not a governing mandate. Democrats still have to show how........

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