Let’s dive into something that’s really stirring the political waters lately—former President Donald Trump’s substantial lead over Vice President Kamala Harris when it comes to economic confidence. Now, this isn’t just a little bump; it’s a full-on 12-point advantage, according to a Wall Street Journal poll taken in late July. Trump is sitting at a solid 52 percent, while Harris lags behind at 40 percent. That's quite the gap, especially on an issue as crucial as the economy.
Economic fundamentals favor Trump by double digits.
Kamala Crash is a huge issue for Dems. pic.twitter.com/XFkqPwafbU
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 5, 2024
Now, why is this happening? Well, let’s start with some context. Economic confidence is a major factor in how people decide to vote. Political scientist Morris Fiorina once said that voters tend to hold current leaders responsible for the state of the economy. If things are going well, the incumbents get a thumbs-up. But if things are looking grim, voters are quick to consider other options. And right now, a significant chunk of Americans—50 percent, according to a New York Times/Siena College poll—believe that the economy is in poor shape.
The people who said that Trump will crash the economy and start World War III, are the ones that are actually crashing the economy and starting World War III. pic.twitter.com/fi3n8pQHol
— Carla (@thecoffeesfresh) August 5, 2024
To make matters worse for Harris and the Democrats, these polls were taken before a major stock market crash that happened shortly afterward. The Dow plummeted by over 1,000 points in a single day, and other markets around the world followed suit. This only adds to the perception that the current administration is struggling to manage the economy effectively.
This is absolutely incredible. Read the headline and then the top three things listed. pic.twitter.com/lseeba47pk
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) August 5, 2024
So, where does that leave us? For Trump, this is a golden opportunity. His campaign has wasted no time in capitalizing on the situation, even going as far as to release an ad that dubs the recent market downturn as the "Kamala Crash." The ad cleverly juxtaposes clips of Harris smiling and promoting "Bidenomics" with grim economic headlines, making a powerful statement about her perceived lack of qualifications to handle the economy.
KAMALA CRASH pic.twitter.com/DG8z5CZrGi
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 5, 2024
This tactic plays right into the hands of Trump’s strategy. By highlighting the economic struggles under the current administration and reminding voters of the more prosperous times during his presidency, Trump is positioning himself as the solution to the nation’s financial woes. And if the trend continues, with the economy taking center stage as a key issue, it could very well pave the way for a strong showing by Trump in the upcoming election.