The Harris Effect: Is Bidens Exit Erasing Inflation Concerns for Voters?

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 drops out and Harris becomes the Democratic candidate, she sees a surge in popularity and surpasses Trump in the polls, despite inflation remaining relatively unchanged. This begs the question: why is Harris seemingly not being penalized for inflation the way Biden was? Some theorize that voters place more blame for the economy on the president than the vice president. Others believe that Biden`s declining popularity might be more personal than economic, with voters potentially turned off by his age and performance. This unexpected turn of events could benefit Democrats, as Harris offers a fresh start without the baggage of Biden`s economic record. This is further supported by the 2022 midterm elections where Democrats performed better than expected, despite inflation being a top concern for voters.