It’s Trump, Stupid

Yes, this year’s elections echo James Carville’s famous sign in the 1992 Clinton War Room: “It’s the economy, stupid.”

And they recall the devastating questions Ronald Reagan asked in his 1980 debate with President Carter:

“Are you better off than you were four years ago? Is it easier for you to go and buy things in the stores than it was four years ago?”

But it isn’t just the economy, the cost of groceries and the price of gas this year.

It’s Trump.

After 10 years of dominating the stage, Trump drives and defines all politics - from the national to the local level.

Every day, he writes the headlines.

One day it’s Canada. Then it’s the Iran war. Then the Reflecting Pool. Or the White House Ballroom. Or the Kennedy Center. Or mail-in ballots.

He’s in our faces and our heads every day.

Here’s what else is in our heads every day: How much do things cost?

So, we ask: What is Trump doing to help us?

He’s surely helping himself and his family to billions of dollars.

He’s helping his billionaire friends make more billions.

But he isn’t helping us make ends meet.

In our July 29-August 1 statewide poll, two-thirds of North Carolina voters (67%) said they disapprove of how Trump is handling the cost of living. Only 32% approved.

That’s why Roy Cooper is running for Senate - and leading the race - on what some pundits say is a boring message: “Make Stuff Cost Less.”

The same issue that beat Democrats in 2024 is dragging down Republicans in 2026: how much stuff costs.

In 2024, President Biden was seen as weak, senile and out of touch with people’s struggles to make ends meet. Kamala Harris never separated herself from that perception.

Now, some voters may see Trump as strong, but they also see him as out of touch with people’s struggles to make ends meet.

In our poll, voters said:

- By 61-33%, that Trump is “focused primarily on himself” instead of “focused primarily on people like you.”

- By 58-34%, they said he’s “a fighter for the wealthy and corporations,” not “a fighter for working people.”

But Trump isn’t on the ballot. The only way voters can show their unhappiness is to vote against Republicans all the way down the ballot.

Our poll suggests they’ll do just that in North Carolina this year.

We asked people why they plan to vote for Democrats. Their top two reasons were:

· To oppose “Trump’s policies and performance as President” (94% said that)

· To oppose “Trump’s enablers in Washington, DC and in Raleigh” (93%).

Note that: in Washington AND in Raleigh.

Yes, it’s the economy.

And it’s also Trump.

You can see our full poll here

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