Politics Counts: Who Do Voters Trust on the Economy

December 16, 2011

Dante Chinni

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Topic: Who Do Voters Trust on the Economy

This article discusses who voters believe will be the best party to handle the economic situation that America is facing. In 2008, young and old, suburban, urban and rural and the rich and poor among other demographic groups thought that Democrats were the best equipped to handle the job. However, that opinion has changed. It seems that Americans are losing faith in the Democrats and the job that they are doing. The democrats have been losing popularity among suburbanites (14% decrease), 15-34 year olds and 65+ years olds (15% drop), and white working class voters (11% drop). At first, this seems like good news for the Republican candidates. The republicans have received an increase in support among 65 year olds (10% increase), suburbanites (6% increase) and those making over $75,000 a year (7% increase). However, whereas Democrats have been receiving decreases in popularity in the double digits, Republicans are only making small advances with increases in popularity in mainly the single digits.

     The real problem lies in that there is a large number of people that stand out in most demographic groups - people who believe that neither party will be able to find a solution to the economic problem. Americans are frustrated. The majority of those believing neither party can do the job are the young (under 30) and the poor (those making under $30,000). In the past eight years, both the Republican and Democratic party have had chances at running this party, and our economic situation seems to be no better. This can greatly affect voting in the upcoming Iowa Caucus, and in the Presidential Election coming later in 2012. If Americans feel as though their needs aren't being catered to, they might feel as if there is no point is voting. Of course some people will still vote, but this means that candidates all across the board will lose support. This is bad for all of the Republican candidates seeing as how the Iowa Caucus takes place next month. Members of both parties need to focus on regaining the faith of American citizens. The upcoming elections might be viewed as a joke if Americans feel that they have no one to turn to.