Pervasive malaise may be the Democrats’ biggest midterm challenge

For Democrats, the national forecast keeps going from bad to worse.Consumer prices are rising. President Biden's approval rating is falling. Mass shootings are endemic. Race relations are strained. Baby formula is scarce. The Democrats' legislative agenda is on the rocks. And party leaders — from the White House to Capitol Hill — have limited power to exact the reforms they consider crucial for righting the listing ship. While the midterm cycle was always expected to pose steep