Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s reelection efforts in South Carolina are off to a rocky start as the first sanctioned Democratic primary looms. With his low approval ratings on the economy, Biden faces an uphill battle to win over voters in a state that was crucial in securing his nomination in 2020.
Biden on the Ballot: South Carolinians worry about the economy despite White House messaging https://t.co/c6enz4eFHs https://t.co/c6enz4eFHs
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 31, 2024
In the face of high inflation and concerns about rising food and gas prices, many South Carolinians remain skeptical of Biden’s economic policies. Some voters, like 34-year-old mother Tonja G. and 27-year-old commuter Kayveon W., are expressing hesitancy about supporting Biden due to the financial challenges they are facing.
Despite Biden’s efforts to sell the economic investments made by Democrats on infrastructure and drug pricing, his messaging has not resonated with voters in South Carolina. Dr. Danielle Vinson, a politics professor at Furman University, expressed doubt that Biden’s economic message has broken through to voters, attributing it to the ongoing struggle with high inflation and rising grocery bills.
Additionally, some South Carolinians feel let down by Biden’s inability to deliver on his campaign promise of forgiving $10,000 in student loan debt for all borrowers. While Biden’s plan was blocked, he did direct the federal government to wipe more than $136 billion in debt for over 3.7 million student loan borrowers through the restructuring of federal loan repayment plans. However, this has not appeased everyone, with 44-year-old Jennifer F. expressing frustration over the unfulfilled promise.
Even Biden’s efforts to lower healthcare costs and prescription drug prices have gone unnoticed by some South Carolinians, who claim they only found out about the changes through local politicians rather than directly from the White House or Biden himself.
As the Democratic primary approaches, Biden’s team is banking on a strong showing to boost enthusiasm for his reelection push. However, allies and Democratic strategists are urging Biden to retool his economic messaging, emphasizing the need to remind voters of the economic challenges he inherited and the progress made during his presidency. They also stress the potential consequences of a Republican victory on the economy.
With the Democratic primary on the horizon, the path to victory for Biden in South Carolina appears challenging, as he grapples with economic concerns and voter skepticism. As the battleground state tests Biden’s electability, he faces an uphill battle to win over voters and secure a path to a second term in the White House.
