Democratic strategist David Axelrod criticized President Biden's economic messaging on Wednesday after a campaign event in Milwaukee. campaign event in Milwaukee, stating that the president’s “pride” might harm his chances in November.
Biden has consistently presented the struggles with the economy as something of the past and acted as if the issue has already been resolved. However, most Americans disagree, as polls indicate that they trust former President Trump more on economic matters.
Axelrod, a former campaign strategist for President Obama, acknowledged that the economy has improved significantly under Biden.
“But that’s not the way people are experiencing the economy,” he said in a CNN appearance. “They are experiencing it through the lens of the cost of living. He is a man who’s built his career on empathy, why not lead with the empathy?”
Axelrod continued, “I think he’s making a terrible mistake. If he doesn’t win this race, it may not be Donald Trump that beats him, it may be his own pride.”
During the campaign event in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Biden expressed that his administration had “already turned” the economy around. Axelrod pointed out that Biden's pride in past achievements may not resonate with voters, as they have a more negative perception of the economy.
The Biden campaign has faced challenges with economic messaging, especially after last year’s unsuccessful “Bidenomics” tour and ongoing concerns about inflation and gas prices.
Inflation was just 2.7 percent year-over-year in March, down significantly from its highs last year, but that isn’t being felt in voter sentiment. The issue is still top of mind for voters, according to Gallup polling. Only 38 percent of Americans have a “great deal” of confidence in Biden’s ability to lead on the economy, according to a Gallup poll last week, a near record low for the figure. Trump never received less than 42 percent confidence on the issue when he was in office. Now, 46 percent of Americans said they have a “great deal” of confidence in Trump, a disparity that could impact the president’s odds at reelection this November.
Senior Democratic strategist David Axelrod hit President Biden over his economic messaging Wednesday following a campaign event in Milwaukee, saying the president’s “pride” could be his undoing in November. Biden has consistently framed struggles with the economy in the past tense, and treated the issue as already won. Most Americans disagree, with polls showing most… Gallup poll last week, a near record low for the figure. Trump never received less than 42 percent confidence on the issue when he was in office.
Now, 46 percent of Americans said they have a “great deal” of confidence in Trump, a disparity that could impact the president’s odds at reelection this November.
