A new mini-series by The 538 Politics podcast, titled “Campaign Throwback,” is set to explore popular campaign tropes from past elections. Spanning three episodes, the series will delve into the origins and relevance of these phrases, including “it’s the economy, stupid,” “soccer moms,” and the question of which candidate you’d rather have a beer with.
The first episode focuses on the trope “It’s the economy, stupid,” which was a key message during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Clinton’s chief strategist, James Carville, emphasized this message to his staff, highlighting the importance of change versus more of the same, the significance of the economy, and the need to address healthcare. This message was prominently featured in a 1993 documentary called “The War Room” that chronicled the Clinton campaign and has since become a staple in election analysis.
However, despite its enduring presence, there is still debate about whether this campaign trope continues to hold true in today’s political landscape. The episode explores this question and provides insights into whether “It’s the economy, stupid” remains an accurate representation of voters’ priorities. To listen to this fascinating episode or any other episode in the series, you can check it out below or on your preferred podcast platform.
