Some blame the incumbent US president, regardless of the disaster of their affiliation; others dig deeper into their partisan roots
Donald Trump. Picture: REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA— Some battleground states crucial to US President Donald Trump’s political future are being particularly hard hit by the coronavirus crisis, a development that could decimate his central argument for re-election at a critical moment.
“Presidents, whether they cause the economic downturn or recession or not, they’re in office. When times are good they benefit, when times are bad, they don’t,” Madonna said. “Much will depend on the degree to which Trump is using the federal government to make improvements to minimise the cumulative economic damage from the coronavirus.”
More Americans now disapprove of his crisis management than approve, 48.7% to 46.8%, according to the RealClearPolitics average — suggesting that even a “rally round the flag” effect of voters sticking with the incumbent at a time of crisis is fleeting. The economy is set for a historic contraction in the second quarter, with many economists predicting an unemployment rate well above the peak of 10% reached in the wake of the last recession.
Yet Biden still tops several polls measuring a general election contest, and can argue that, as vice-president, he steered America out of the last recession that occurred under a Republican president. Overall, consumer sentiment saw a record-breaking decline in April, with sharp drops among Republicans and Democrats alike, according to the consumer confidence survey by the University of Michigan. But consumers are less pessimistic about the future, said survey director Richard Curtin. That may work in Trump’s favour.
The rebound will also depend on psychological factors beyond the control of policymakers and even the president, as well as on factors such as when social-distancing eases and people return to job sites. “Most people think it’s another hit to middle- and lower-income Americans, and see it as revealing inadequacies not only in the public health system, but also in social safety nets,” said Michael Gapen, chief US economist at Barclays in New York.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two British citizens arrested in Durban after allegedly entering SA illegallyTwo British citizens, whose identities are known to TimesLIVE, were arrested in Durban on Sunday, accused of illegally entering the country from Swaziland.
Read more »
Two more coronavirus deaths in South AfricaThere are 99 new coronavirus infections in South Africa.
Read more »
Eastern Cape manhunt launched after two women found stabbed to death by ‘livestock buyers’According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana, the women's neighbour saw three men talking to one of them inside their home at around 6pm on Saturday.
Read more »
Two UK men arrested for entering SA illegally after speeding through border post to DurbanThe men, aged 24 and 33 as well as the Durban guesthouse owner who allegedly harboured them are expected to appear in court soon.
Read more »
Two Brits arrested in KZN after high-speed escape from Swaziland borderTwo British citizens have been arrested after they allegedly ignored border officials and sped off into South Africa from Swaziland on Saturday.
Read more »
Two British citizens arrested in Durban after allegedly entering SA illegallyTwo British citizens, whose identities are known to TimesLIVE, were arrested in Durban on Sunday, accused of illegally entering the country from Swaziland.
Read more »