FiveThirtyEight Politics
Campaign Throwback: 'The Economy, Stupid'
Dec 23, 2024
James Carville, Bill Clinton's chief strategist during the 1992 campaign, and Lynn Vavrik, UCLA political science expert, dive into the impact of the slogan 'It's the economy, stupid.' They explore how economic issues swayed voter preferences, contrasting 1992 with today's landscape of rising prices and job growth. The duo reflects on the cultural legacy of the phrase and its significance in electoral success. They also tackle shifting voter dynamics, questioning the role of economy amid increasing partisanship as we approach the 2024 elections.
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Quick takeaways
- The phrase 'it's the economy, stupid' was central to Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign strategy, emphasizing economic dissatisfaction amid a recession.
- Growing partisanship has altered how voters perceive economic performance, often prioritizing party identity over objective economic indicators in elections.
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Origins of a Political Slogan
The phrase 'it's the economy, stupid' emerged during the 1992 presidential election as a pivotal campaign strategy for Bill Clinton against incumbent George H.W. Bush. At the time, although the economy was slowly recovering, many voters felt the impacts of a recession, leading to high unemployment rates. Clinton's campaign strategist, James Carville, used this slogan as a simple yet effective reminder to focus on economic issues that resonated with voters' everyday experiences. This sharp communication helped frame the narrative around Bush's perceived economic failures and solidified Clinton's approach to highlight economic dissatisfaction.
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