In 2016, Trump promised voters a revival of American factories, huge economic growth and big gains from trade. In 2020, he’ll have to sell swing states a mixed record on many key fronts.
President Donald Trump launches into the fourth year of his presidency this week with some strong economic numbers to support his case for reelection: Unemployment is low, job growth remains solid, wages are rising and the stock market is soaring.
But the Trump economy features a soft underbelly that Democrats are preparing to exploit and — depending how the numbers tilt this year — could wind up undermining the president’s best argument for four more years.
Manufacturing remains in recession. Economies in some swing states lag the stronger national numbers. Businesses are preserving cash instead of deploying it for expansion. And the president has not delivered the “YUGE“ growth numbers he promised on the campaign trail.
As year four unfolds, several key numbers and trends will determine just how much the economy will help Trump overcome impeachment, low approval ratings and serious shortcomings with women and minority voters.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/21/how-economy-could-make-or-break-trump-2020-101278