# Why can't Biden get more traction from the economy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 18, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736 "2024-05-18T13:12:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/444 "2024-05-25T19:24:13Z")
This election isn’t about change vs. more of the same. It’s about more of the same vs. all that crap you seem to have forgotten about. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/445 "2024-05-25T19:25:35Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > I bet Biden can’t even ~~swim~~ walk on water! Well if you’re going to bring up walking he has had so much difficulty exiting the normal passenger door on AF1 He’s now using the belly door exit. This is the exit President Obama used when China snubbed him and didn’t bring out stairs. It turned out out to be useful for Biden as it cuts down the number of steps he has to walk and appears to have eliminated his falling in public. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/446 "2024-05-25T19:31:52Z")
Yeah, walking is a very important requirement for the office. [![](https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/images/FDR-Wheelchair-February-1941_1.jpg) ](https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/images/FDR-Wheelchair-February-1941_1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/447 "2024-05-25T19:37:11Z")
Not repeatedly falling down stairs because of age related infirmities is certainly a plus for Biden. FDR was crippled and not infirm. Even with that it was kept from the public as much as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/448 "2024-05-25T19:37:57Z")
Moderating: > [@Magiver](#): > > Well if you’re going to bring up walking he has had so much difficulty exiting the normal passenger door on AF1 He’s now using the belly door exit. This is the exit President Obama used when China snubbed him and didn’t bring out stairs. It turned out out to be useful for Biden as it cuts down the number of steps he has to walk and appears to have eliminated his falling in public. This is entirely off topic. Drop it now. ---
**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:** [May 27, 2024, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/449 "2024-05-27T00:38:46Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > Now, Biden will of course get no credit for this, or very little. And many people, especially on the right, will act like it’s not happening. Worse than that, they will believe the bullshit coming from multiple sources that it is not happening and in fact, **that the opposite is happening.** ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/450 "2024-05-28T14:36:37Z")
We are so back: [https://x.com/TheStalwart/status/1795455106097307711?t=G477\_tg33xnpE29Bf2DU8g&s=19](https://x.com/TheStalwart/status/1795455106097307711?t=G477_tg33xnpE29Bf2DU8g&s=19) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/451 "2024-05-28T14:44:28Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > We are so back : > > [x.com](https://x.com/TheStalwart/status/1795455106097307711?t=G477_tg33xnpE29Bf2DU8g&s=19) **[Here’s a mainstream news link](https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-consumer-confidence-unexpectedly-improves-may-2024-05-28/)**. Maybe it’s still early (the link is about 30 minutes old as I write this), but you’d think CNN, Fox, MSNBC, ABC, etc. would at least have a blurb on this. EDIT: Never mind, CNN picked it up. Google News’ algorithms seem to be surpressing mainstream media links (for me) for some reason. > **[Americans are feeling better about the economy for the first time...](https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/28/economy/us-economy-job-market-may/index.html)** > > Americans’ attitudes toward the economy improved this month for the first time since March, thanks to better perceptions of the job market. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/452 "2024-05-28T19:04:54Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > A lot of that analysis is based on answers to polls though, and polls have also revealed that half of Americans think unemployment is at a record _high_ and the stock market has _fallen_ . > > [Majority of Americans wrongly believe US is in recession – and most blame Biden | US economy | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/22/poll-economy-recession-biden/) Interesting comments – and a link to a thought-provoking _Salon_ piece – in **[last Friday’s _Hopium Chronicles_ Substack](https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/new-biden-memo-and-ad-id-much-rather/comments)**: > **Christopher Strecker** > May 24 > Any thoughts on the bazaar [_sic_] results of **[the Guardian poll](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/22/poll-economy-recession-biden/)** on the economy? > > **Fisher** > May 24 > **[Heather Digby over at Salon just wrote an excellent piece](https://www.salon.com/2024/05/24/the-zombie-effect/)** on this where she makes a strong case that all the negativity is actually being driven by …Trump. Voters, she feels, are exhausted with him, he makes them feel negative, and **they partly blame Biden** (because of course ya gotta find something to blame him for in every article) **for not slaying the zombie** (_my emphasis - b_). She doesn’t say it but there is a group of Dems who feel Biden’s DOJ should have moved more quickly to go after trump. Now, he has had Federalist judges allowing him delays, because Alito and Thomas don’t want to retire under a Democratic president. They see a chance for younger reactionary judges to solidify their legacy for a generation, and they are willing to help elect trump if that’s what it takes. It is extremely unpatriotic. Because the actual economic numbers do not lie; people are doing well. **[Digby] even compared Reagan’s economy in 1984 when he won his landslide, and it was not as good as this one; 7% UE, 4% inflation, and 13% interest rate** (_my emphasis - b_). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/453 "2024-05-30T02:34:05Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Worse than that, they will believe the bullshit coming from multiple sources that it is not happening and in fact, **that the opposite is happening.** They will believe what they see every single week at the grocery store. There are no multiple sources. It’s what they experience first hand. ---
**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:** [May 30, 2024, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/454 "2024-05-30T02:36:12Z")
Explain to me please, how when someone is at the grocery store, they see every single week that unemployment is at a record _high_ and the stock market has _fallen_. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/455 "2024-05-30T03:58:49Z")
Soooo…right wing advertising/propaganda is a total waste because it doesn’t work? ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/456 "2024-05-30T15:14:28Z")
If going to go all strawman, do we think that if the right wing media didn’t exist Biden would be getting 100% approval? Of course the economy is complex, people are complex, and there is going to be a ton of different factors affecting people’s thoughts. Looking at polling though, Biden’s main issue seems to be with young adults and minorities. Do we think those populations are watching more Fox News and Newmax than elderly white men that he is doing just fine with relatively speaking? Is it possible that people see soaring fast food prices, delivery fees and grocery bills and think all on their own the economy sucks. ---
**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:** [May 30, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/457 "2024-05-30T15:25:27Z")
Here’s an article on this exact topic: > **[Why Are People So Down About the Economy? Theories Abound.](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/30/business/economy/inflation-economy-americans.html)** > > Things look strong on paper, but many Americans remain unconvinced. We asked economic officials, the woman who coined “vibecession” and Charlamagne Tha God what they think is happening. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/458 "2024-05-30T15:53:03Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > If going to go all strawman, do we think that if **the right wing media** didn’t exist Biden would be getting 100% approval? > > … Looking at polling though, Biden’s main issue seems to be with young adults and minorities. Do we think those populations are watching more **Fox News and Newmax** … ? Kind of a side issue, but I can tie it in: When it comes to making the U.S. populace at large “think things” and “feel things” collectively, there are many more levers being pulled than simply right-wing television news networks. Artificial amplification of discontent from either side of the aisle is also a major player – probably more impactful than the right-wing television space when looking at it from 30,000 feet. When people collectively get to thinking “_the economy is bad_” or more specifically “_the economy is bad because of things Joe Biden has done_”, there are multiple drivers besides direct lived experiences. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/459 "2024-05-30T15:59:32Z")
Misinformation isn’t spread on Fox and Newsmax alone. I’ve seen plenty of social media posts making exaggerated and disingenuous claims about inflation. Photos of $100+ gas pump totals for filling an empty Hummer or F150 with premium. [That idiot columnist who waved around a huge tab for a “burger” … at the airport, accompanied by multiple cocktails.](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/david-brooks-78-burger-tweet_n_650cafcee4b0adc2891391b9) [Etcetera.](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/fox-news-jason-chaffetz-turky-thanksgiving-b2451357.html) [Etcetera.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Did_That!) Now I saw those posts because they were being “ratioed” mercilessly, and quite correctly. But I’m sure for everyone who saw them, said “bullshit!,” and replied accordingly, there was someone who saw such a post or gas-pump sticker and accepted it uncritically. And the mainstream media have also exaggerated inflation, not just right-wing media. [Wage increases are spun as inflation!](https://fair.org/home/media-obsession-with-inflation-has-manufactured-discontent/) [Even price CUTS are spun as signs of inflation!](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/28/opinion/inflation-federal-reserve-rates.html) ---
**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:** [May 30, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/460 "2024-05-30T16:01:58Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > If going to go all strawman, do we think that if the right wing media didn’t exist Biden would be getting 100% approval? We’ve had a lot of strawmen in this thread, or “misinformation demons” or “brainwashing cabal” as they’ve also been called. All to avoid conceding that the reason that 50% of people believe misinformation (like unemployment being at a record high) is largely because, well, they have been misinformed. > [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > Do we think those populations are watching more Fox News and Newmax than elderly white men that he is doing just fine with relatively speaking? Or social media. Let’s put it this way: what proportion of people that believe unemployment is at a record high do you think have had exposure to a meme or false reporting that implied unemployment is high? ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/461 "2024-05-30T16:25:20Z")
Sure everyone gets misinformation. I just have a hard time believing that this cohort (young adults and minorities) of people would be more vulnerable to it then other demographics. If it is just misinformation, why is Biden doing so well with other groups? I think a much more logical interpretation is the economy is disproportional negative (or perceived negative if you prefer) to young people. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/462 "2024-05-30T16:30:42Z")
I think most people don’t know or care what the unemployment rate is and their guess on the rate is more based on their personal experience and their perception of the economy rather than any external sources. ---
**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:** [May 30, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/463 "2024-05-30T16:39:59Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > If it is just misinformation, why is Biden doing so well with other groups? Do you think it might be because a younger cohort gets most/all of its news from social media posts, rather than traditional news sources? I mean right now, there are social media memes tearing through the internet that state unequivocably that the judge in the current Trump court case instructed the jury to find him guilty. This is not (to my knowledge) being said by any news outlet (looking at you Fox). However it is being widely promoted/shared on social media. My aunt does not look at internet memes. But my son does, all day long. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736.md?page=22)