The Harris Surge: Is Inflation Really the Issue?

When Biden was the projected Democratic 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 nominee, her poll numbers surpass Trump`s despite inflation remaining relatively unchanged. This begs the question: why is Harris seemingly not being penalized for inflation while Biden was? Some theorize that voters place more blame on the president for economic issues than the vice president. Others believe Biden`s unpopularity might stem from personal perceptions rather than solely economic factors. This unexpected turn of events suggests that Harris, as a fresh face not burdened by Biden`s baggage, might be a more appealing candidate for voters, even amidst persistent inflation. This is further supported by the 2022 midterm elections where Democrats performed better than expected despite high inflation being a major concern.