came up short 未能達到預期目標

realignment 整頓吏治

in short order 馬上

bipartisan reform 跨黨派改革

coalition-building 建立聯合政府

short-lived ascendancy

平步青雲有如曇花一現

consumed with 沖昏頭

midterm elections 期中選舉

of all stripes 形形色色

exit polls 出口民調

dynamic change 大力推動變革

across the political spectrum

跨越政治光譜

political winds at his back

政治上占上風