As Donald Trump geared up for the upcoming election, he took to social media, delivering two emphatic posts that highlighted his views on the economy. In these posts, he made sweeping promises, including the elimination of taxes for many Americans, while also claiming to have enacted the largest tax cut in U.S. history.
Additionally, he targeted Kamala Harris, alleging that she would end fracking and portrayed her as a radical socialist threatening American energy production. His concluding remark emphasized that only he could restore the strong economy he previously fostered.
However, shortly after Trump’s posts, the September jobs report was released, revealing that the economy added an impressive 254,000 new jobs, far exceeding expectations.
This report served as the final major jobs data point before early voting began, promising to generate numerous positive headlines about the economy. Such news was particularly advantageous for Harris, as it would help counteract the economic vulnerabilities she faced against Trump in the election.
Despite Harris’s challenges in overall economic approval compared to Trump, the recent poll data indicated a significant achievement for her campaign. According to a Cook Political Report survey, Harris had managed to draw even with Trump regarding voters’ trust in controlling inflation, a notable shift from earlier polling where Trump held a six-point lead.
Trump and Harris Clash Over Economic Promises as Jobs Report Boosts Harris’s Campaign
While Trump still maintained an advantage in overall economic trust, the narrowing gap suggested that Harris’s campaign messaging about affordability was beginning to resonate with voters.
Harris’s strategic focus on her economic agenda has seen substantial investment, with her campaign spending $35 million on targeted ads designed to address affordability concerns.
This investment appears to be paying off, as the same Cook poll indicated Harris’s job approval was higher than Biden’s in key battleground states, signaling that voters were starting to distinguish her candidacy from the unpopularity of the current president.
Biden’s age and perceived inability to manage inflation contributed to his decline in approval, whereas Harris’s energetic campaign efforts seemed to be breaking that negative cycle.
The positive September jobs report reinforced the favorable narrative for Harris, highlighting a decrease in unemployment to 4.1% and strong wage gains that outpaced inflation.
The positive media coverage surrounding this report, which included upbeat commentary from major news outlets, likely helped to further boost public perception of Harris’s economic narrative. As voters became more receptive to the realities of the economy, the recent data could enhance Harris’s chances by dispelling some lingering doubts about her economic competence.
Finally, Harris’s ability to distance herself from Biden’s disapproval ratings and focus on a forward-looking economic agenda appears crucial in appealing to undecided voters. Insights from focus groups showed that voters are beginning to view Harris as a candidate who genuinely cares about their needs, setting her apart from Trump’s economic rhetoric.
Drawing parallels to Obama’s 2012 campaign, Harris’s success may depend on her ability to shift the narrative from the current state of the economy to a more promising future under her leadership, especially if she can convince swing voters that her approach is preferable to Trump’s promises. The latest jobs report suggests that the elements are aligning for her campaign to gain traction.
