OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
During CNN’s Michigan primary coverage, commentators discussed challenges facing Joe Biden’s economic messaging ahead of the midterms.
Bakari Sellers acknowledged there have been legislative successes from Washington but questioned when those would tangibly benefit people and be felt in their pockets.
Sellers said, “It’s hard for me to say Bidenomics is working when people are still having trouble with the cost of grocery prices.”
He continued, “[T]here are a lot of successes that have come out of Washington. The question is, one, when will those legislative successes actually benefit people in their pockets? When will they feel it?”
Sellers predicted that Biden will “win the overwhelming majority of working-class union voters. The question is, will he get them in the margins that he needs?”
While Biden would win most union voters, Sellers wondered if it would be by enough.
David Axelrod agreed Biden has an economic story but people still don’t feel the economy is better.
Axelrod added that Biden “indisputably has an economic story to tell. But until people feel like the economy is better, and they are beginning to feel that, the question is, by November will that wash –?”
Sellers interjected it’s difficult to argue “Bidenomics is working” when grocery prices remain a struggle for many, underscoring doubts about whether economic improvements will be discernible by November.
“To your point, it’s hard for me to say Bidenomics is working when people are still having trouble with the cost of grocery prices, right?” asked Sellers.
The discussions highlighted Biden having successes to tout but uncertainties over whether voters will feel the impact in time.