The cost of living and the repercussions of the war with Iran top the concerns of American voters as the midterm congressional elections begin, amid declining satisfaction with the economic performance of President Donald Trump鈥檚 administration and rising fears that foreign policy will impact prices and purchasing power, making economic burdens and the cost of foreign policy among the most prominent factors in electoral calculations.
A poll conducted by the Associated Press and the "Nork" Center for Public Affairs Research, published last October, showed that the percentage of those approving of Trump鈥檚 handling of the cost of living does not exceed 17 percent, while satisfaction with his economic performance stood at 26 percent, indicators reflecting the widening gap between the administration鈥檚 economic rhetoric and the assessment of a wide segment of voters regarding their living reality.
Economy at the Center of Voting
A poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, with results also published last month, confirms the centrality of the economic file in voters' choices, with 84 percent of participants considering the economy a very important factor in determining their voting direction, while 65 percent believed that President Donald Trump鈥檚 economic policies have made the economic situation worse.
These indicators gain additional significance amid growing anxiety over food, energy, and housing prices, costs that affect the daily lives of American families and are not limited to a specific electoral or partisan base. In a report published by Reuters ahead of the elections, dissatisfaction with the economic situation emerged despite recording growth indicators and a relative decline in unemployment, as these indicators do not necessarily reflect families' sense of improved conditions.
War Costs
The repercussions of the US-Iranian war further complicate the economic landscape, affecting energy markets and oil supplies. The Council on Foreign Relations, a US research center specializing in foreign policy and international relations, noted that war, energy prices, trade, and migration have become factors influencing voter trends, while Bloomberg linked oil supply disruptions to rising gasoline and diesel prices and heating costs.
The direct financial cost of the war is also present in the electoral discourse. The US Department of Defense, according to figures obtained by the Associated Press, estimated spending related to the war at approximately $47.1 billion as of October 16, an increase of $3.5 billion since the beginning of September, when the estimate stood at approximately $43.6 billion.
Performance Evaluation
The Council on Foreign Relations clarified that election results could also affect Congress's ability to exercise oversight on military spending, should the balance of power within the two chambers change. A poll conducted by the Financial Times in collaboration with "Vocal Data" showed that approximately 70 percent of election participants do not approve of Trump鈥檚 handling of inflation and the cost of living, with this percentage rising to 77 percent among independent voters.
However, these indicators do not mean that election results are settled, as other factors intersect with them, including the distribution of seats and local competition in states and districts, and the ability of candidates to mobilize their electoral bases. Furthermore, dissatisfaction with the administration's performance does not automatically translate into full support for the proposed political alternative.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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