The Harris Effect: Why Are Voters Less Concerned About Inflation Now?

Initially, Biden trailed behind Trump in the polls, with voters unhappy about inflation. However, after Biden`s hypothetical withdrawal and Harris`s nomination, she surged ahead despite similar inflation levels. This raises questions about whether voters hold Harris less accountable for inflation than Biden. Possible explanations include voters placing more blame on the president for economic issues or their declining opinion of Biden being unrelated to the economy. Notably, Harris`s success might stem from being a fresh candidate unburdened by Biden`s baggage. This is significant because it suggests that inflation might not be the deciding factor for voters, as evidenced by the Democrats` better-than-expected performance in the 2022 midterms when inflation was a major concern.