It Is Still the Economy, Stupid [OPINION]

I don't care how much a voter may dislike Donald Trump, when the time comes to elect a president in November it will still be the economy that will determine the outcome. Right now the economy is aces so one has to assume that Trump is sitting pretty for re-election.

Not climate change, not socialized medicine, not free college tuition, not border security. Nothing motivates voters more than does the economy and their financial security. When times are good and folks are feeling secure about their jobs and their investments, all else takes a back seat. It's very difficult for a challenger – even when we have challengers who are playing with a full deck – to make a case for removing the guy who is presiding over a good economy.

We live in the information age. Everything is driven by messaging and that includes our politics. Never before has it been easier to reach potential voters with your message if you are a candidate for public office. The average person is pounded with messaging all day long, sometimes without even realizing they are being pounded. But the messaging has to be effective.

For four years we have been inundated with negative messaging about Donald Trump, yet he has his highest approval ratings ever. Even after surviving four investigations and an impeachment trial. Why is that? It's the economy, stupid. Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, women, gays and more have all benefited by the Trump economy and they will reward him in November. It's the economy, stupid.

Not everyone loves Trump. Some will vote for him while holding their nose with the other hand but faced with the option of tanking the economy and their comfort zone by supporting radicalism or pulling the lever for Trump, Trump wins every time because it's the economy, stupid.

So imagine for a moment what kind of message Michael Bloomberg or Bernie or Mayor Pete might run with in a head-to-head with Trump. What can they say to make their case to get you to throw Trump out? Not much because it's the economy, stupid. Trump wins because there isn't much you can say to convince people to commit financial hara-kiri.

So when someone asks you how you could vote for Donald Trump just tell them It's the economy, stupid!

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.