The last time this happened, voters didn’t credit Bill Clinton. That may be a bad omen, or a good one.

If the stock market chose presidents, Joe Biden would be a shoo-in for reelection in 2024. The market rallied this month amid growing optimism about the economy, with the S&P 500 zooming 1.9 percent Tuesday on news that the consumer price index rose only 3.2 percent in October (compared to 3.7 percent in September). Stocks rallied again Wednesday on news that the producer price index fell 0.5 percent. Commentators are no longer debating whether the economy will experience a “soft landing” (i.e., a reduction in inflation without recession). The only question now is when it will arrive. The S&P 500 seems to have decided it’s already here.

But the stock market doesn’t choose presidents. Voters do, and polls continue to show they think the economy is in terrible shape. A Financial Times–Michigan Ross Nationwide Survey conducted November 2–7 is absolutely brutal on this point.

  • @alvvayson
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    41 year ago

    The main problem is, that most of the things you need to help people are in the power of Congress, not the president.

    The first two years, Manchin and Sinema blocked meaningful reform in the Senate. And now there is a republican shit show in the house.

    • @TheBananaKing
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      81 year ago

      “but hey, the rich people are doing fabulously” is pretty fucking cold comfort for the people that they’re unable to help. Read the goddamn room.

      • @[email protected]
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        fedilink
        21 year ago

        Yeah, I don’t think this article is meant for us Normans, this is a nod to the donor class that Biden is worth re-investment for ‘24.