Close to two-thirds of voters say their number one issue is something directly related to the rising cost of living.
The political ruling class have rolled out one crisis after another to divide Americans – covid vaccine mandates, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Roe vs. Wade drama – but step outside the beltway and most people are deeply concerned about rising gas prices, out of control inflation, and putting food on the table.
A new Monmouth University poll shows close to two-thirds of voters say their number one issue is something directly related to the rising cost of living. A full third of voters (33%) say inflation is their number one issue, followed by gas prices (15%), the economy overall (9%), and paying for bills and groceries (6%).
A full third of voters (33%) say inflation is their number one issue, followed by gas prices (15%), the economy overall, (9%) and paying for bills and groceries (6%).
This translates to 63% of Americans saying they are most concerned with immediate economic issues, over any number of distant political narratives being peddled by the ruling elites to compel them toward a particular pet political issue.
Concern with issues like the coronavirus and climate change have all but evaporated, with just 1% of Americans saying covid-19 or climate change is a top concern, respectively.
The poll also finds over 4 in 10 Americans (42%) say they are struggling to remain where they are financially. The pollsters noted this is the first time since they started asking the question five years ago that the number of Americans who say they are struggling to maintain their financial footing has topped 3 in 10.
Less than half of Americans now say their current financial situation is close to stable and less than 10% of Americans say their financial situation is improving.
Most Americans are not optimistic about the federal government helping them out of their current situation.
Fifty-seven percent of Americans say the federal government’s actions have hurt their family over the past six months when it comes to their main concern, and just 8% say DC has helped them.
The pollsters note that historically between 34% and 47% of Americans have said DC has hurt them on their biggest family concern and that this current poll marks the first time most Americans have said the federal government is hurting them on their number one issue.
This current poll marks the first time most Americans have said the federal government is hurting them on their number one issue.
The poll also shows President Biden’s approval rating has dwindled to just 36%, but the numbers are even worse when broken out by Party ID. Close to two-thirds of Independents (63%) disapprove of the job Biden is doing, as do over half (52%) of Moderates. Among 18-34-year-olds, a full 63% disapprove of the job Biden is doing as do 66% of middle-income earners and 52% of low-income earners.
Much to the consternation of those inside the beltway drawing up the national narratives they think will drive voters to action, the midterms will be about the economy, not the vaccine, abortion, or the border dispute in Eastern Europe. Manufactured crises are simply not compelling to a majority of voters when their own livelihoods are on the line, and we are seeing interest in pet political issues plummet.
Manufactured crises are simply not compelling to a majority of voters when their own livelihoods are on the line, and we are seeing interest in pet social issues plummet.
However, disillusionment with DC is running high. There is a great deal of frustration with the political ruling class and the crises they have saddled the rest of the country with. Candidates in both parties would do best to acknowledge the failures of Washington and focus on real economic solutions that put the American people first, not attempt to make the midterms about a pet social issue.
