The problem with Biden's and Trump's economic records: They're really messy

Politics always comes with spin and economic data points can be misleading during election cycles. The pandemic and inflation have distorted the economy and created challenges for interpretation. The candidates in the presidential debate argued about the blame for inflation and job losses, but the reality is that both external events caused these issues. It is difficult to use historical data to evaluate policy effectiveness in this unique context. The economy is still adapting to the shocks, making it hard to determine the new metrics that reflect its direction. Presidential elections are now more complex and involve cultural affinities and identities, making it challenging to connect economic realities with political outcomes. Traditional indicators such as unemployment rates are not as effective anymore in predicting election results. Factors like high labor participation rates and stock market performance can also be misleading. Ultimately, for the average person, the price of essential goods like food and fuel have a more significant impact on their understanding of the economy.