Republicans pitching inflation as Democrats' downfall ahead of midterms: 'Voters are nervous'


Although strategists from both parties are "closely watching" as (what's claimed to be) "transitory" inflation plagues the U.S. economy, Republicans in particular consider rising prices a "potent" issue playing to their advantage ahead of the 2022 midterms, reports McClatchy.
"I believe the economic challenges the country faces, with inflation leading them, will be the single biggest concern to voters this cycle," said Don Conston, president of a super PAC with ties to House Republican leadership. "It's already there, and likely that it will only intensify further going forward."
Operatives are arguing that "the longer inflation remains a concern, the more likely voters are to naturally blame the party in power in Washington," writes McClatchy. Recent polling from Pew Research Center and Fox News found voters to be decently concerned about inflation and higher prices.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"If inflation continues to rise, I think it's very problematic for Democrats," said veteran Republican pollster Glen Bolger. "The longer this goes on, the more it impacts the economy and the mood of voters. Voters are nervous." Democrats have noticed public concern, but hope the issue is moot by November 2022.
Inflation has already taken center-stage in Republicans' early paid media campaigns, notes McClatchy. In fact, "The NRCC, CLF, and its associated nonprofit group, American Action Network, have all aired TV or digital ads over the last three months blaming vulnerable House Democrats and their policies for rising prices."
"This is going to be an issue all the way through to the midterms," said NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer. "This will come back to bite them at the ballot box in 2022." Added Republican strategist and former aide to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) John Ashbrook: "You'll hear candidates talking about it over and over and over again." Read more at McClatchy.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Brian Wilson: the troubled genius who powered the Beach Boys
Feature The musical giant passed away at 82
-
'HBCUs have always had to think more strategically'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Media: Warner Bros. kicks cable to the curb
Feature Warner Bros. Discovery is splitting into two companies as the cable industry continues to decline
-
Supreme Court clears third-country deportations
Speed Read The court allowed Trump to temporarily resume deporting migrants to countries they aren't from
-
Judges order release of 2 high-profile migrants
Speed Read Kilmar Ábrego García is back in the US and Mahmoud Khalil is allowed to go home — for now
-
US assessing bomb damage to Iran nuclear sites
Speed Read Trump claims this weekend's US bombing obliterated Tehran's nuclear program, while JD Vance insists the US is 'not at war with Iran'
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests