# 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:** 27
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/564 "2024-06-01T18:51:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Nobody is saying that deliberate misinformation is the one and only cause Cool. So maybe stop complaining about that and focus on something that can achieve results in the next six months. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/565 "2024-06-01T18:52:49Z")
Nobody is crying or whining. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/566 "2024-06-01T18:55:42Z")
Ignore the assholes pouring sugar in the gas tank and just keep tuning up that car and things will be just fine. Gotcha. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/567 "2024-06-01T18:58:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Ignore the assholes pouring sugar in the gas tank and just keep tuning up that car and things will be just fine. Unless you have a short-term solution for the assholes, you’ll still get further by trying to keep the car moving over the finish line than to stand around complaining about how mean and unfair they are. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/568 "2024-06-01T18:59:03Z")
Turning on a flashlight is not the same as whining and/or crying about the dark. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/569 "2024-06-01T19:00:04Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Unemployment was, in fact, considered a much larger issue in 2020 (see charts on previously linked page) Yes obviously it was because it reached record heights. This in no way makes sense of why half of americans think unemployment is at a record high _now_, when it’s actually at a record low. What a weird thread. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/570 "2024-06-01T19:00:16Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > What a weird thread. Amen. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/571 "2024-06-01T19:01:46Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > But all anyone wants to do is shake their fists and cry “Misinformation!” to the sky. Hence, whining. The way to address misinformation is first to identify it and the effect it has had. Which is what’s happening here. The only “whining” seems to be from those who don’t want it acknowledged at all. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/572 "2024-06-01T19:05:03Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > The way to address misinformation is first to identify it and the effect it has had. Cool, everyone here is on board with blaming it so now what’s Step Two? You have six months. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/573 "2024-06-01T19:08:41Z")
Ooh - is it “Ignore it and accuse anyone who even mentions it of whining”? Or is it “Flag it where it appears and counter it with better information”? Because we’re already working on that step, despite resistance. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2024, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/574 "2024-06-01T19:12:14Z")
Publicly outing the liars and the lies over and over again, making a concerted effort to counter their organized campaign would do for a start. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/575 "2024-06-01T19:12:39Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Ooh - is it “Ignore it and accuse anyone who even mentions it of whining”? I mean, hey, I’ve been accused of saying that the economy is terrible like three times just this morning 😃 > [@Gyrate](#): > > Or is it “Flag it where it appears and counter it with better information”? Because we’re already working on that step, despite resistance. Must be a really slow process. Good luck with the next six months. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/576 "2024-06-01T19:13:57Z")
Yes, let’s definitely let perfect be the enemy of good. That’s always constructive. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/577 "2024-06-01T19:14:22Z")
“Good” would be something moving Biden’s polling numbers. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2024, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/578 "2024-06-01T19:15:40Z")
His poll numbers are fine. Neither candidate is “ahead in the polls”. > [@Polling is broken, right? Or is it the news? Or all of the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-is-broken-right-or-is-it-the-news-or-all-of-the-us/993779/329): > > I believe that the commenter, Merrill – as opposed to proposing that others should mistrust the entire mainstream media – was instead picking a bone with the NYT’s Nate Cohn and the specific NYT/Siena polls (which have sampling problems as detailed upthread). Your linked article was an interesting read, especially regarding the “low trust” segment of the populace. I do take issue with the author using current polling numbers as the foundations of their arguments, however. That said … there do… ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/579 "2024-06-01T19:15:48Z")
Er, yes. Are you under the impression that’s some sort of gotcha, or argument in favor of inaction? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/580 "2024-06-01T19:17:56Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Er, yes. Are you under the impression that’s some sort of gotcha, or argument in favor of inaction? No, it’s an argument in favor of OTHER action. > [@bordelond](#): > > His poll numbers are fine Guess this thread is moot then. ([Trump is leading Biden](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/bidens-approval-rating-falls-lowest-level-nearly-two-years-reutersipsos-poll-2024-05-21/) by 10pts on the economy in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll) > Some 40% of respondents in the poll said Trump, who was president from 2017 to 2021, had better policies for the U.S. economy, compared to 30% who picked Biden, while the rest said they didn’t know or didn’t answer the question. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/581 "2024-06-01T19:22:28Z")
He is already taking those other actions, but he also needs to openly call out the liars and their lies. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/582 "2024-06-01T19:25:54Z")
I’m certain that a majority of those 40% of respondents in that poll that said Trump had better policies for the U.S. economy could easily name three of them and explain in a paragraph exactly what said benefit was. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2024, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736/583 "2024-06-01T19:29:06Z")
Unless there’s an essay portion on November’s ballot, it doesn’t really matter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-biden-get-more-traction-from-the-economy/1001736.md?page=28)