In poll after poll, the economy and inflation remain the top issues voters care about in this election. Voters have consistently trusted President Donald Trump more than President Joe Biden on these issues over the course of the campaign. However, Vice President Kamala Harris’ replacement at the top of the ticket has changed that dynamic. According to the latest Financial Times and University of Michigan poll, the Democratic nominee now has this advantage.
By The Numbers:
In July, before Biden dropped out of the race, 35% of voters said they trusted him more on the economy, while 41% of voters said they trusted Trump more on the economy and 18% said they trusted neither candidate.
Just a month later, 41% still say they trust Trump more on the economy. However, 42% now say they trust Harris on the economy, and 10% trust neither.
In spite of who voters trust more, voters still believe Trump’s policies are better. Only 12% of voters said that they think Harris's economic policies will leave them "much better off" financially, while 22% said the same for Trump's policies.
The Bottom Line: There should be no daylight between Republican candidates and trust on the economy. After four years of Biden-Harris, Americans are feeling the pain of inflation at the pump, grocery store, clothing store, doctor’s visits, and rent. The blame should be placed squarely at not just Biden’s feet, but Harris’s as well. She cast the deciding vote in the Senate for the gigantic spending package that fed the fired of inflation. The fact that some voters now trust Harris over Trump on the economy is a sign that Democrats are winning the messaging war. Voting starts in some states next month. From the top down, Republicans must prioritize the issues of inflation and the economy and attack ASAP.
