Inflation, War, and Voters: What the Data Really Shows

In this episode of Morning Wire, pollster Brent Buchanan of Signal Polling analyzes recent data on U.S. economic sentiment amid rising gas prices from the Iran conflict, voter concerns about affordability, and political shifts influenced by war and immigration—drawing comparisons to Europe.

U.S. Economic Comfort Levels

Buchanan emphasizes wage growth as a critical factor in household budgets, alongside outgoing costs. He contrasts the Biden era, where stagnant wages amplified inflation's bite, with current conditions where rising wages cushion price hikes. In Signal's March national survey, 64% of Americans reported living comfortably financially, while 15% said they were struggling to make ends meet; the rest fell between "doing okay but watching spending" and other categories. This challenges narratives of widespread hardship, though affordability remains a top voter worry. The poll aimed to unpack self-reported financial states beyond vague complaints.