Even if they don't win back Congress in the midterms, the Democrats may still be able to set the agenda

Ahead of presidential elections, the Republican and Democratic parties signal their agendas by releasing policy platforms. But do parties' promises to focus on one issue over others remain credible following the election? In new research, E.J. Fagan examines party platforms and Congressional roll call votes, and finds that the party which holds the White House does keep its agenda-setting promises, but only until the next midterm elections, when attention snaps back to issues pushed by the other party.