Who will Kamala blame now?
As Election Day approaches, the latest non-farm payrolls report presents a challenging picture for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Job growth appears to have stagnated, with employers adding only 12,000 positions in October—well below economists’ expectations of around 100,000. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The economy has emerged as a critical issue in this election cycle. A recent poll by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for Newsweek revealed that 51 percent of voters believe the economy is moving in the wrong direction, while only 30 percent feel it is on the right track. This dissatisfaction comes at a time when many Americans are feeling the squeeze of rising costs and uncertain job prospects.
While experts suggested that October’s report was affected by external factors like Hurricanes Helene and Milton and a machinists’ strike at Boeing, the sluggish job creation is raising alarms. Mark Hamrick, a senior economic analyst, noted that despite these challenges, the broader economic picture has shown resilience, with GDP growth and low unemployment reflecting a strong foundation. However, the reality of stagnant job growth in October cannot be overlooked.
Political analysts indicate that these numbers could be detrimental to Harris’s campaign, particularly as Republicans are likely to leverage them to criticize the Biden-Harris administration’s economic policies. Even during months of positive job reports, some GOP members have dismissed the data, reflecting an ongoing skepticism about the Democrats’ economic stewardship.
Moreover, recent polling shows that a slight majority of voters trust Republican nominee Donald Trump over Harris to handle economic issues. This skepticism about Harris’s economic management could hinder her ability to sway undecided voters, especially with pressing concerns such as inflation and housing affordability taking precedence in the minds of many.
While the monthly jobs report typically garners significant attention, its impact this close to Election Day may be limited. Many voters have already cast their ballots, and with the electorate largely decided, a single report is unlikely to sway the outcome. As Republicans continue to emphasize the importance of economic growth and job creation, the Biden-Harris administration will need to confront the narrative that the economy is faltering under their watch.