The Harris Effect: Why Are Voters Seemingly Overlooking Inflation?

When Biden was the projected 2024 presidential candidate, high inflation negatively impacted his approval ratings and gave Trump a lead in the polls. However, after Biden hypothetically dropped out and Harris became the Democratic candidate, her poll numbers surpassed Trump`s despite inflation remaining relatively unchanged. This raises questions about whether voters hold Harris less accountable for inflation than Biden and whether Biden`s unpopularity stems from factors beyond the economy. Some speculate that voters might attribute economic issues more to the president than the vice president, and that Biden`s age and performance might also be contributing factors. This situation suggests that Harris might be benefiting from a fresh start unburdened by Biden`s baggage, and that inflation might not be the deciding factor for voters in the upcoming election, as evidenced by the 2022 midterm elections where Democrats performed better than expected despite economic concerns.