Don Draper’s Economy Won’t Save the GOP (Not That It Ever Did)
The US economy has been on a wild ride since Joe Biden took office, with inflation rates fluctuating and unemployment figures ticking upwards. But despite the economic uncertainty, most pundits agree that the economy is in better shape now than it was two years ago. And that’s exactly the problem for the Republican Party.
A Brief History of Economic Reality vs. Election Hype
In the 1992 presidential election, Bill Clinton campaigned on a promise to fix the economy, which was still reeling from the Gulf War and a recession. As it turned out, Clinton’s policies – including raising taxes on the wealthy – actually worked. The economy roared back to life, and Clinton won in a landslide. But here’s the thing: the economic growth didn’t necessarily translate to Democratic Party gains in the midterms. In 1994, the Republicans actually took control of Congress.
Fast forward to today, and the Republicans are facing a similar challenge. The economy is doing better, thanks in part to Biden’s stimulus packages, but the country is still dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19 and the ongoing Ukraine war. As a result, the economy is looking pretty good on paper, but the benefits of that growth haven’t necessarily trickled down to the average American.
The Economy as a Double-Edged Sword
The economy is a double-edged sword for the Republicans. On the one hand, a growing economy can be a powerful campaign tool. Imagine a Republican candidate running on a platform of economic growth, tax cuts, and job creation. It’s a classic recipe for success. But on the other hand, the economy is also a reminder of the challenges that the Biden administration has faced and overcome. And for many voters, the sense that the economy is doing better won’t necessarily translate to a vote for the Republicans.
What this means is that the Republicans are going to have to think outside the box if they want to win in November. They can’t simply rely on the economy to carry them to victory. They’ll need to come up with a compelling message that speaks to the concerns and anxieties of voters, and that message isn’t going to be “the economy is doing great.” It’s going to be something more nuanced, more thoughtful, and more inclusive.
