In a new series, the 538 Politics podcast is revisiting political wisdom from past campaigns. The first installment of their mini-series, “Campaign Throwback,” takes a closer look at campaign tropes from previous elections. These include phrases like “it’s the economy, stupid,” “soccer moms,” and the question of which candidate you’d prefer to share a beer with.
The focus of the first episode is on the phrase “it’s the economy, stupid.” This saying dates back to Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. At that time, Clinton’s chief strategist, James Carville, emphasized three key messages for the staff to remember. These were: 1) Change versus more of the same, 2) The economy, stupid, and 3) Don’t forget about healthcare. The phrase “it’s the economy, stupid” became well-known and was featured in a 1993 documentary about the Clinton campaign called “The War Room.” It has since become a staple in election analysis.
The episode examines whether economic issues truly drive voter behavior and decision-making during elections. It delves into how accurately this phrase holds up today and its impact on past campaigns. To listen to the full episode and explore more insights on this topic, you can find the podcast on your preferred platform.
In conclusion, this article highlights a fascinating look back at campaign tropes from previous elections through the lens of political wisdom from past campaigns. The first episode of their mini-series focuses on “it’s the economy, stupid” and its impact on voter behavior during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Through careful examination of historical data and expert opinions, listeners can gain valuable insights into how accurate these tropes are today and their continued relevance in election analysis.