The Harris Surge: Is Inflation Really a Deciding Factor?

When Biden was the projected 2024 presidential candidate, high inflation negatively impacted his approval ratings and led to a significant lead for Trump in the polls. However, after Biden`s hypothetical withdrawal and Harris`s subsequent candidacy, Harris now holds a lead despite inflation remaining relatively unchanged. This raises questions about whether voters hold Harris less accountable for inflation than Biden or if other factors are contributing to the shift in poll numbers. Some speculate that voters may place more blame for economic issues on the president than the vice president, while others suggest that Biden`s declining popularity could be due to personal factors rather than solely economic performance. This unexpected turn of events, albeit hypothetical, presents a potentially advantageous situation for Democrats, with Harris seemingly unburdened by the negative perceptions associated with Biden`s handling of the economy. This notion is further supported by the 2022 midterm elections, where Democrats performed better than expected despite high inflation being a major concern for voters.