In fairness, it’s a rather small sample of voters, but, this poll just keeps confirming that the economy is always the number one issue
Voters are more worried than ever about the economy — and they think Republicans can fix it
The midterms are looming over the halls of Congress, and the economy might prove to be the issue that pushes Democrats’ razor-thin majority into the arms of Republicans.
A new poll from the New York Times/Siena College, which ran from October 9 to 12, asked 792 voters across the country how they feel about different parties and issues. Among those voters, one issue stands tall above the others: The economy. According to the Times, 44% of the likely voters answered that “economic concerns were the most important issues facing America.” That’s a big jump from 36% in July, and echoes other recent polling.
In September, economic concerns ranked first as the “most important problem facing the country today” among Americans surveyed by Gallup. That’s consistently between the most important problem throughout the summer and fall, but ticked up yet again in September.
When citizens see the continued issues with the cost of food, housing, energy, and so much more, they become concerned. When gas prices start ticking up again, and are already way higher than under Orange Man Bad, they’re concerned. When they see interest rates jumping up, they’re concerned. When it costs a whole heck of a lot more to feed their families, they’re concerned. When those Fall/Winter clothes for the kids are more, they’re concerned.
But the Times poll also shows that dour views on the economy may spell trouble for Democrats and wins for Republicans. The voters they surveyed who were the most worried about the economy also “overwhelmingly” leaned Republican. Broadly, 49% of all the likely voters surveyed said they were more likely to vote Republican, with just 45% saying they would vote for Democrats.
Some Democrats have been sounding on the alarm on how important it is to rally around the economic issues facing Americans, especially with inflation still sky-high. In an opinion piece for the Guardian, Sen. Bernie Sanders said that Democrats should put focus on the economy in the lead-up to the midterms.
Even if Democrats wanted to start talking about it, they’re aren’t doing anything about it, and, their record shows they’ve been working against it. Do you think the talking points about the IRA bringing down the energy prices of working and middle class folks if they spend tens of thousands on solar panels and they spend huge on an EV works well? Or shows Dems completely out of touch? Dems have been focused on abortion on demand and class warfare.
The GOP will retake the House. Whether they can get to 51 in the Senate is the question. Regardless, they can stop the insanity of the Democrat agenda with control of the House, refusing to pass the Dems agenda. If they’re smart they’ll avoid tax cuts and other legislation, and simply focus on basic legislation to enable energy and measures that help reduce inflation, ones that free up business sectors.
Read: Americans Are Very Concerned Over The Economy, Trust GOP Over Dems To Fix It »