# It's the economy stupid **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 21, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866 "2023-08-21T15:08:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/321 "2024-01-23T22:45:40Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > > “This,” Ted Johnson told me, “is what I hope. … He breaks the system,” he said, “he exposes the deep state, and it’s going to be a miserable four years for everybody.” > > Riiiggghhhhtttt!!! Cause he did so much to expose ‘’‘’‘The Deep State’‘’‘’ during the only four years he had the power to do whatever the fuck this moran is on about. > I’m quite sure if that line of questioning had gone on it would have been extremely revealing. > (My money is on _43 seconds_ and _It’s the Jews_.) A military veteran should recognize that the “deep state” is bullshit. It’s really just the large number of career civil servants. Presumably he worked with some of them. These are people, some of whom get paid much less than they could in private industry, who choose to work for the government, partly because they believe what they are doing is for the public good. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/322 "2024-01-23T22:56:15Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > > [@Akaj](#): > > > > So he acknowledges that Trump shouldn’t have had the material, but it’s OK, because he’s just stubborn and arrogant. And the FBI wasn’t nice enough, so now Ted’s even more of Trump supporter. > > Notice that he also deflects blame from Trump. “Whoever advised him he could have that…” > > No, Ted, no one “advised” Trump that he could or should keep classified material. The responsibility for this is on Trump. He wanted it, so he took it. Right. Nothing he gets blamed for is actually his fault, everything negative about him is fake news, and all his negative qualities are actually the strengths this country needs. After eight years of this crap I still can’t believe so many people are so damn brainwashed. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/323 "2024-01-23T23:01:09Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > After eight years of this crap I still can’t believe so many people are so damn brainwashed. OBJECTION! Assumes brains not in evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/324 "2024-01-26T14:24:30Z")
I was reading a ho-hum article this morning about how to reduce your home heating costs, but had to grit my teeth when the author mentioned “inflation raging out of control.” Yeah, it’s so out of control the Fed is talking about cutting rates. I’m guessing the writer was just lazy and wanted to stress the importance of saving money, but he’s clearly absorbed too much rightwing bullshit about the economy. And his readers, if they don’t stop and think, could just nod and say, yep, inflation’s still a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/325 "2024-01-26T15:59:49Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > Notice that he also deflects blame from Trump. “Whoever advised him he could have that…” > > No, Ted, no one “advised” Trump that he could or should keep classified material. The responsibility for this is on Trump. He wanted it, so he took it. “Part of personal responsibility” is dead now. “A bigger boy told me to keep the documents sir! It’s not my fault!” ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/326 "2024-01-26T16:26:03Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > I was reading a ho-hum article this morning about how to reduce your home heating costs, but had to grit my teeth when the author mentioned “inflation raging out of control.” > > Yeah, it’s so out of control the Fed is talking about cutting rates. > > I’m guessing the writer was just lazy and wanted to stress the importance of saving money, but he’s clearly absorbed too much rightwing bullshit about the economy. The thing is, there’s little to no pushback even on the MSM, so once again the right-wing propaganda is all many hear. People like Jake Tapper will concede that inflation remains a huge problem, or let guests say the same, with zero pushback or context, and I’m not really sure why. Perhaps they don’t want to alienate their viewers by seeming to belittle something that is a big concern for millions, but it’s a self-perpetuating cycle. (And, before anyone says it, I’m aware that lower inflation does not mean prices coming down; merely increasing at a slower rate. But still, the picture for inflation overall is very good, given that inflation is 1) far below the level of other industrialized countries 2) is now at basically the ideal economic level and 3) prices _have_ come down for many goods, principally gas) ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/327 "2024-01-26T16:56:47Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > it’s a self-perpetuating cycle. Absolutely. Everyone knows an item or two they’re paying a lot more for now than they were 2-3 years ago, so when they see or hear someone say “inflation [is] raging out of control,” it’s pure confirmation bias. Whereas if you try to counter the claim, people come back with “but i used to pay $X for (some staple), and now it costs $X+Z.” So there! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/328 "2024-02-02T15:43:36Z")
January jobs report for the US: Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 353,000 in January. Only 10% of those job gains were in government jobs. From CNN: > " the economy, fresh off a shockingly strong year in 2023, is expected to grow at an even stronger 4.2% rate in the first quarter. And today’s jobs report shows America’s economy remains surprisingly strong. > Consumer sentiment soared 13% in January, according to the university’s final reading, confirming what a preliminary estimate showed earlier this month. Sentiment reached its highest level since July 2021, “reflecting improvements in the outlook for both inflation and personal incomes.” Cue more Trumpian doom and gloom about how bad the economy is. Actually, I see that Trump is trying to pivot to taking credit for the current good economy because he’s going to be elected in November. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/329 "2024-02-02T16:16:07Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Actually, I see that Trump is trying to pivot to taking credit for the current good economy because he’s going to be elected in November. That to me looks like the Republicans realize that they can only fool people for so long before it becomes obvious their claims are BS. Trump’s strategy is somewhat novel to me, in trying to somehow make what should be great news for Biden work for him. It’s insane to suggest it, especially given that he’s claiming that the economy is improving because of him **a full year** before he’d be POTUS again, but MAGA gonna MAGA I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/330 "2024-02-04T17:14:02Z")
From what I’ve seen on right wing forums, even they can’t swallow this particular rationalisation. I mean, most still say the economy is terrible and refuse to accept the numbers. A few handwave that it’s the _wrong kind_ of jobs, or that the stock market only helps the rich. I haven’t heard anyone using the “it’s because trump is about to be elected” argument. Let alone the “fumes of the trump administration” argument. I guess there’s still time for them to forget everything they’ve been told up to now and believe a new talking point. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/331 "2024-02-04T17:31:37Z")
Well, I’ve found they are so inveterately tribal you can’t expect them to at all view this through a rational lens. They can/will pivot on a on a dime and contradict what they said least year, a month, week or 15 minutes ago, if they think think it gives them a good RW talking point in the here and now. > [@Mijin](#): > > or that the stock market only helps the rich And during the Obama administration these same people ( many of them just barely getting by ) were taking up with the rich and bemoaning “the economy” every time the stock market took the smallest of dips. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/332 "2024-02-04T18:00:54Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > From what I’ve seen on right wing forums, even they can’t swallow this particular rationalisation. > > I mean, most still say the economy is terrible and refuse to accept the numbers. A few handwave that it’s the _wrong kind_ of jobs, or that the stock market only helps the rich. > > I haven’t heard anyone using the “it’s because trump is about to be elected” argument. Let alone the “fumes of the trump administration” argument. > > I guess there’s still time for them to forget everything they’ve been told up to now and believe a new talking point. There’s one very influential person who’s used that argument. And I think his followers will swallow almost anything that comes out of him. > **[Trump attempts to take credit for stock market record highs under Biden](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/29/trump-attempts-to-take-credit-for-stock-market-record-highs-under-biden.html)** > > Former President Donald Trump said stock market gains are the result of investors betting he will beat President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/333 "2024-02-04T18:48:29Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I guess there’s still time for them to forget everything they’ve been told up to now and believe a new talking point. With the MAGAts, they can believe these two things _simultaneously_: 1. The economy is terrible, and it’s all Biden’s fault. 2. The economy is great, and it’s all because of Trump. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/334 "2024-02-04T18:53:40Z")
Schrödinger’s ~~Cat~~ Economy? > **[https://i.redd.it/owgx2hjml6ca1.jpg](https://i.redd.it/owgx2hjml6ca1.jpg)** If Trump was a cat and the cat had _a_ NFT this would be it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/335 "2024-02-05T00:24:08Z")
Tat is by far the most horrifying thing I’ve seen all day. Gee thanks there @crowmanyclouds. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/336 "2024-06-24T15:03:57Z")
The economy is a key factor impacting undecided voters. 133 days to go! [https://www.reuters.com/world/us/undecided-voters-await-biden-trump-debate-with-eye-economy-border-age-2024-06-20/](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/undecided-voters-await-biden-trump-debate-with-eye-economy-border-age-2024-06-20/) In most polls I’ve seen voters give the edge to Trump on handling the economy. I however, believe that the POTUS has limited impact upon the economy. But we’re talking about voter perception. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/337 "2024-06-24T19:28:13Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > In most polls I’ve seen voters give the edge to Trump on handling the economy. I however, believe that the POTUS has limited impact upon the economy. But we’re talking about voter perception. I mean, you have two misconceptions. One is that the economy was better under Trump and that the POTUS has some kind of control over it in the first place. You might as well vote based on who had more solar eclipses during their administration. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/338 "2024-06-24T19:31:54Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > One is that the economy was better under Trump and that the POTUS has some kind of control over it in the first place. Not according to voter’s opinions. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/339 "2024-06-24T19:31:54Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I mean, you have two misconceptions. One is that the economy was better under Trump and that the POTUS has some kind of control over it in the first place. The POTUS has some slight control. Most is cycles anyway. > [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Not according to voter’s opinions. The voters that think so also think the illegal immigrants are both lazy and coming to steal out jobs- at the same time. That vaccines will make you magnetic, sterile, and autistic. also > **[Opinion | Americans — especially but not exclusively Trump voters — believe...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/rampage/wp/2016/12/28/americans-especially-but-not-exclusively-trump-voters-believe-crazy-wrong-things/)** > > The misinformation and disinformation of Americans, charted. That’s the bizarre theory that Hillary Clinton was helping run a child sex slave ring out of a D.C. pizza joint, as allegedly proven by code words in hacked Democratic emails… Another conspiracy theory [still held by the president-elect](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/11/27/trumps-bogus-claim-that-millions-of-people-voted-illegally-for-hillary-clinton/?itid=lk_inline_manual_11) is that millions of illegal votes were cast in the recent election… So, the beliefs of morons arent to be considered seriously. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866/340 "2024-06-24T20:26:33Z")
I think OL’s point is, it doesn’t matter what the truth is – if enough voters, for example, believe the economy is bad and it’s Biden’s fault, then he will be in trouble. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-economy-stupid/988866.md?page=18)