As a point of reference, this guy's approval rating on the economy is more than 20 points underwater, per the Real Clear Politics average. Of the last ten national surveys listed, eight of them have him in the 30's on the issue. The term 'Bidenomics' has been so widely panned, even within the president's party, it was widely reported that Democrats had decided late last year to chuck the slogan into the fire and incinerate it. Voters hated it. Many resented it. It was malpractice to look at the dismal economic sentiment and voluntarily slap the president's name onto the economy, but that's exactly what they did -- until they finally thought better of it and reversed course.
But now, amazingly, 'Bidenomics' is back. From the president's own mouth, too:
BIDEN: "Our plan is delivering for the American people, building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down. That’s what I said I was going to do — that’s what I tried to do as a senator and vice president — but because, when we do that, the poor have a ladder up and the middle class does well, and the wealthy do well. Although, they should be paying a hell of a lot more in taxes. (Applause.) We all do well. It’s called Bidenomics. If you notice, all the major — all the major economists who are talking about “there’s going to be a recession next week, next month” — they’re all of a sudden — they’re seeing the Lord.
It's true that US GDP grew well in the fourth quarter, and that certain elements of the economy are in pretty good shape. The unemployment rate is low, although layoffs jumped by 98 percent last year, and "could get worse" in 2024. Recession worries remain. The jobs picture was mixed last month, and inflation came in hotter than expected. The giant risk Democrats are taking by invoking 'Bidenomics' is that Americans are still very displeased with Joe Biden over the economy, as referenced in the polling summary above. Jamming those two words together seems like it should be a Republican invention. People are dissatisfied because, first and foremost, prices are still much higher than they were when Biden took office.
Inflation has been brutal, and it's been fueled by Biden's foolish and destructive policies, which he pursued even after prominent left-learning economists warned him not to. While the rate of inflation isn't as steep as it was, prices are still headed up. Inflation remains. Costs are going in the wrong direction. At a recent campaign stop, a Biden photo op told the story quite well:
Thanks to #Bidenomics, a Cook Out tray costs 28% more than it did three years ago when Biden had his previous photo op. #ncpol https://t.co/3zUsO0z5cV pic.twitter.com/Ifn7wrp4Q8
— Senator Berger Press Shop (@SenBergerPress) January 18, 2024
Biden helpfully stood directly in front of the a sign that illustrated just how much inflation has eaten into Americans' earnings, forcing the cost of almost everything upward. The exact same order now costs 38 percent more than it did last time Biden was standing there. This is how people are living through 'Bidenomics:'
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CBS: "We talked to a bunch of people outside of a grocery store ... we couldn't find anybody feeling good about the economy."
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 24, 2024
That's Bidenomics! pic.twitter.com/XNJ8IXgiHL
It's the little things -- and people really do notice:
In plain, common-sense language, this is the kind of thing that leads average folks to believe that Bidenomics has made things worse for them and their families:
— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) January 20, 2024
“Can you even get anything from Taco Bell for $2.59,” she asked.
“Where did we go wrong?”
https://t.co/MMVUXeg7mp
Taco Bell fans are skipping out on their former fast food fave as prices continue to climb amid inflation and cost of living pressures. One former ride-or-die, who “used to be loyal to the brand as a teen,” sparked a serious debate online after finding a faded 2012 receipt from the popular chain — putting into relief just how much more expensive a run for the border has become in just over a decade. Aspiring rapper LovelyOcean snagged 630,000 hits on a downer of a TikTok post this week, captioned “I’m so upset,” where she revealed the incriminating slip of paper that showed her paying just $2.59 for two beefy five-layer burritos. At Taco Bell in 2024, just one of the go-to gut bombs reportedly costs $3.59. “Can you even get anything from Taco Bell for $2.59,” she asked. “Where did we go wrong?” Thousands chimed in to share similar sentiments regarding their former favorite fast foodery.
I'll leave you with a reminder that Biden has admitted that he now wishes he hadn't labeled one of his signature spending spree items the 'Inflation Reduction Act' -- which was an insulting misnomer from the start. Perhaps he'll once again feel similar regret about 'Bidenomics.'
