Bloomberg Host Grills Biden Adviser on Swing State Voters' Inflation Concerns

A recent poll indicates that many swing states are souring on Bidenomics, prompting Bloomberg host Manus Cranny to question senior Biden adviser Gene Sperling about the Biden-era economy.

Senior Biden adviser Gene Sperling faced tough questions on Wednesday from Bloomberg host Manus Cranny after a recent poll indicated that many swing states are souring on Bidenomics.

The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll released Wednesday showed that Biden is ahead in only one of the seven swing states that may decide the 2024 presidential election, as pessimism about the economy continues to grow. The poll also showed that 1-in-5 respondents believe inflation and interest rates will decrease this year, while over 75% of respondents said Biden is responsible for the poor economy.

Cranny pressed Sperling about how swing state voters perceive the Biden-era economy, noting that the poll's findings suggest that they are not convinced by the administration's narrative.

Sperling pushed back, arguing that there is evidence that people are starting to appreciate the positive aspects of the economy. He cited consumer sentiment data that shows a significant increase in current expectations, as well as a poll that indicated that 57% of people in Wisconsin view the economy as improving.

However, Cranny countered that the poll's findings are relevant to swing state voters, who will ultimately determine the outcome of the 2024 election. He questioned how Biden can convince these voters that the economy is improving, especially given the high inflation rates that they are experiencing.

Sperling dismissed the poll's credibility, arguing that it is not an accurate representation of voter sentiment. He pointed to recent elections where voters have expressed support for Biden's leadership, despite economic concerns.

Sperling acknowledged that inflation is a global issue, but maintained that the Biden administration has taken steps to address it. He cited the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act as examples of policies that will have a positive impact on the economy.

Cranny expressed skepticism about the near-term impact of these policies, noting that the poll shows that the public is not yet convinced of their benefits.

Sperling insisted that the Biden economic policy has paid for itself, but acknowledged that there is an ongoing battle to convince voters that the economy is improving.

The poll's findings align with data released on Thursday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which showed that U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) rose well-below expectations in the first quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, a key metric used by the Federal Reserve to measure inflation, kept rising.

The poll and economic data suggest that the Biden administration faces an uphill battle in convincing voters that the economy is on the right track. It remains to be seen whether the president and his advisers can change this narrative before the 2024 election.