Yes
I do.
No
I don’t.
President Donald Trump is urging Republicans to campaign aggressively on what he describes as the accomplishments of his administration and the Republican Party as the November 3 midterm elections approach.
Trump has been traveling around the country campaigning for Republican candidates as the GOP tries to persuade voters to keep Republicans in control of Congress. During recent campaign appearances, the president has emphasized his administration’s record on issues including immigration, regulation, energy, economic growth and other priorities.
Trump’s argument is straightforward: Republicans have accomplishments they can highlight, but voters will only reward the party if GOP candidates successfully communicate those achievements.
There are economic statistics Republicans can point to. Recent reporting has described unemployment at approximately 4.2%, while overall economic growth has remained relatively strong. Republicans also frequently highlight changes to immigration policy, deregulation and major infrastructure and energy proposals pursued by the administration.
But those numbers do not tell the entire political story.
The cost of living remains a significant concern for many households. Inflation has slowed compared with its earlier highs, but prices remain substantially higher than they were several years ago. Real wages have also faced pressure, and borrowing costs continue to affect Americans purchasing homes, vehicles or using credit.
Those concerns help explain why voters’ perceptions of the economy can differ considerably from headline economic statistics.
Republicans are also campaigning in an unusually competitive political environment. President Trump has begun an intensive campaign schedule to support GOP candidates across the country, including recent appearances in Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama. His speeches have emphasized Republican accomplishments while encouraging supporters to turn out for congressional and statewide races.
Democrats offer a sharply different interpretation of the administration’s record. They have focused heavily on household prices, foreign policy and several Trump administration policies they argue have hurt consumers.
That leaves voters evaluating competing pictures of the country.
Republicans argue their policies have produced meaningful achievements worth promoting. Democrats argue that many Americans have yet to experience those claimed successes in their everyday finances.
As campaigning intensifies, voters will decide which argument better reflects their own experience.