Opinion

It’s not the economy, stupid. Americans vote based on their personal economy

GDP and inflation data may look good on paper, but voters carry grocery bills and mortgage payments into the booth

By Ted Jenkin Fox News

Published August 17, 2026 5:00am EDT

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Economy remains a top priority ahead of key elections

National Review columnist Caroline Downey joins 'Fox & Friends Weekend' to analyze the disconnect between voters' positive personal finances and negative ratings of the broader economy, inflation and key primaries.

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Every election season, politicians suddenly become economists.

They start talking about GDP, inflation rates, job creation, trade deficits and economic growth. They point to charts showing why the economy is doing better or worse depending on which party is holding the microphone.

But there’s one problem. Most Americans don't live their lives on a government spreadsheet, job reports, GDP data or CPI Index information.

FOX NEWS POLL: MOST RATE THE ECONOMY NEGATIVELY, INCLUDING HALF OF REPUBLICANS

They live at the grocery store. They live at the gas pump. They live with when the mortgage payment comes out of their checking account. They live with the credit card bill.

American voters might care about the overall economy, but they vote based on their own personal economy. (DjelicS/Getty Images)

And they live it when their kid asks, "Can we afford that?"

In Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign, strategist James Carville famously posted the message, "It’s the economy, stupid," as a reminder to keep the campaign focused on what mattered to voters.

More than three decades later, I think that famous line needs an update.

JAMES CARVILLE BREAKS WITH FAMOUS ‘IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID’ SLOGAN BECAUSE OF........

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