Revisiting ‘It’s the Economy, Stupid’: A Closer Look at a Campaign Trope

In a new mini-series called “Campaign Throwback,” the 538 Politics podcast is set to explore campaign tropes from past elections. Over the course of three episodes, they will delve into the origins and accuracy of popular campaign slogans and themes, such as “it’s the economy, stupid” and “soccer moms.”

The first episode of this series focuses on the trope “It’s the economy, stupid,” which was famously used by Bill Clinton during his 1992 presidential campaign. Clinton’s chief strategist, James Carville, emphasized three key messages for his staff to remember: 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” that chronicled the Clinton campaign and has since become a staple in election analysis.

Despite its enduring presence, the question remains: is the trope “It’s the economy, stupid” accurate? The episode dives into this question and provides insights on whether this campaign trope continues to hold true in today’s political landscape. To listen to the full episode, you can check it out below or on your preferred podcast platform.