The midterm election turned out to be a referendum — just not on President Biden and the Democrats.

What was the vote about (or, rather, against)? It’s difficult to be sure, because exit polls are hopelessly skewed and unreliable. But it does seem likely to have been about two things: abortion and, more broadly, Donald Trump.

Though some of his favored candidates won, most lost. The most egregious MAGA zealots seem to have turned voters off. In fact, it’s hard not to see the midterm elections as one more verdict by the public against Trump and his brand.

So the fever has broken for now, but if the Republican Party’s doctors willingly continue to behave like cowardly quacks, the patient could easily relapse once again.