In 1984, President Ronald Reagan won re-election on the strength of his positive “Morning in America” message and the warm feelings about his economic performance. However, the current economy bears some similarities to Reagan’s, but with significant differences. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll, President Biden is trailing behind his likely Republican opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, in key battleground states due to voter dissatisfaction with his economic stewardship. Poll respondents express disappointment with the economy and trust Mr. Trump more to fix it, despite the fact that the economy has been performing better than expected over the past year.
However, there is widespread angst among voters regarding the incumbent’s economic management – a contrast to the relatively strong public faith in the economy and Mr. Reagan’s handling of it during the early 1980s. Even though Mr. Biden’s economic performance has been positive, perception of the economy and how he communicates about it may be factors contributing to the voter angst. Research indicates that consumer attitudes are primarily shaped by the products they purchase most frequently and the way prices surge unexpectedly, leading them to remember the negative impact of inflation.
One possible solution for Mr. Biden to improve voter sentiment is to launch a public campaign focused on showcasing prices that have begun to decrease from recent highs and by celebrating strong job growth. These efforts have not shown immediate results in polls, but continued economic improvements and targeted communication may eventually raise public sentiment.
Despite this, some Democrats worry that Mr. Biden himself is a barrier to getting the message through, particularly to younger voters who express concerns about his age. Campaign officials say his direct appeals resonate well in tests; however, it’s essential to address concerns about how the economic recovery is perceived by voters.
