Five myths about midterm elections - by Alan Abramowitz and Norman Ornstein - The Washington Post

The Washington Post, by Alan Abramowitz and Norman Ornstein, 15/08/2010, excerpt/extracto.-

With Tuesday's elections in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia and Minnesota over and the internecine feuds that mark primary season finally winding down, voters and pundits can begin turning their attention to this year's real political fight: November's general election, when all 435 House seats, along with 37 Senate seats, will be up for grabs. Midterm elections are a uniquely American ritual -- most democracies choose their legislators and executive leaders at the same time -- and they have, over the years, given rise to their share of homegrown political wisdom. But not all of that wisdom is borne out by recent history.

1. Midterm votes foretell future election results.
2. It's an anti-incumbent year.
3. The president's message is crucial.
4. It's all about the economy.
5. Midterms provide mandates.