To Discuss The Economy Or Not To Discuss The Economy?
It’s the question facing the Harris-Walz campaign.
“It’s the economy, stupid.” — James Carville, 1992
The popular political catchphrase was coined during the 1992 Bill Clinton campaign.
Originally intended as an internal reminder to keep the campaign focused on key issues, the phrase was written on a whiteboard in Clinton’s campaign headquarters. At the time, it was said to emphasize that addressing the nation’s economic struggles would resonate with voters more than other concerns.
At the time, the U.S. was experiencing a recession, and many Americans were frustrated with the incumbent President George H.W. Bush’s handling of the economy. Clinton’s team hoped to connect with voters’ real concerns by keeping this message central to the campaign.
The phrase has since become shorthand for the political importance of economic conditions in elections and public opinion.
But, is it the economy, stupid?
“It’s not the economy, stupid: Why Kamala Harris should focus on everything else,” argued Joe Tauke for Salon this weekend.
“Voters are convinced Trump’s economy was better, despite the evidence — and now the numbers are getting worse,” he complained…