Unpacking the Political Past: A Closer Look at the ‘It’s the Economy, Stupid’ Trope through Campaign Throwback on 538 Politics

The 538 Politics podcast has launched a new mini-series called “Campaign Throwback,” which delves into the campaign tropes of past elections. In this series, they explore popular sayings and slogans used in previous campaigns, such as “it’s the economy, stupid,” “soccer moms,” and “beer with me.”

The first episode of this series focuses on the trope “It’s the economy, stupid,” which was popularized during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. During that campaign, Clinton’s chief strategist James Carville emphasized three key messages to his staff: the importance of change versus more of the same, the significance of the economy, and the need to address healthcare. The second message about the economy was prominently featured in a 1993 documentary called “The War Room” and has since become a staple in election analysis.

However, despite its enduring presence in political discourse, there is still debate over whether the trope is accurate. The episode delves into this question and provides insights on whether it continues to hold true today’s political landscape. To listen to the full episode, you can check it out below or on your preferred podcast platform.