Savannah Standard

Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers and a former senior advisor to President Trump, reported in his column that workers and families blame their economic anxiety on the failed policies of Biden and the Democrats. Cortes believes that "Bidenomics" will likely open the door for Republican gains in 2024, as polling shows voter preference for the GOP over Democrats on the economy has reached a seven-decade high.

"The citizens of South Georgia correctly blame their declining prosperity and financial outlook on Bidenomics, specifically," Cortes said in a statement. "The data from the countrywide Gallup Poll and Georgia Southern University’s index prove that Americans nationally and locally in Georgia loudly demand better. Conservatives have a rare opportunity to present a compelling economic path forward into the 2024 elections."

Semafor reported that according to a Gallup poll, by a margin of 53% to 39%, voters prefer Republicans' handling of the economy over the Democrats. Gallup has been asking this question on its surveys since 1951, and the 14-point edge that the GOP currently enjoys is the widest margin for the GOP since 1991. Notably, according to Gallup analyst Justin McCarthy, this question has predicted the winner of all but one presidential election since 1984, as it gave a slight edge to Al Gore over President George W. Bush. In September of 2020, Democrats had a slight advantage and led Republicans by one point.

In his column, Cortes notes, however, that this is not a time for complacency by the GOP; while voters prefer their handling of the economy, independent voters hold both parties in similarly low regard. Cortes believes that addressing economic concerns, especially from the middle class, will be key for GOP candidates.

Cortes argues that while the Biden administration claims that they are fighting for the middle class, the reality is "a shocking loss of prosperity and confidence among working-class Americans." He notes that due to "stagflation," which is the combination of stagnant growth and soaring inflation, households earning between $45,000 and $180,000 per year, which includes over 100 million Americans, lost $33,000 in net worth in just the past year.

Cortes further notes that reports have shown that housing and home ownership have never been less affordable due to elevated prices and rising interest rates, while prices for used cars have become similarly elevated, as they are up to 40% higher than they were in early 2020.

According to Fox 28 Savannah, Georgia Southern University's Economic Monitor showed that Savannah's economy slowed again last quarter. According to GSU, the area's business forecasting index fell for the fifth consecutive quarter.