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GOP strategist Karl Rove warned Monday that Republicans risk making the same political mistake he believes cost Democrats the 2024 election, arguing the party is relying too heavily on favorable gross domestic product and job figures while failing to address the economic pressures many voters still feel.
Appearing on Fox Business with Larry Kudlow, Rove said Republicans should be careful not to assume strong economic indicators alone, such as manufacturing data and employment. This was after Kudlow said that “the numbers are looking pretty good” despite inflation and higher gas prices stemming from the Iran war.
“These messages on affordability and growth, as you put it — which I totally agree — are they, you know, are they being — is the messaging being messaged properly?” Kudlow asked.
Rove agreed that the underlying data is positive, but said Republicans are making a mistake by emphasizing economic statistics that many voters do not believe reflect their own financial reality.
“I think more could be done,” Rove said. “Look, you cannot do — and we are doing right now what Joe Biden did. ‘Everything’s great.’ You know, we can’t go out and say, ‘It’s the best economy the world’s ever seen.’ That’s not what people are feeling. What we’ve got to remind them is that we’ve taken steps to make it better, and those steps resonate with ordinary people.”
He argued the party needs to spend less time touting topline numbers and more time explaining how Republican policies are making life more affordable for working families.
The longtime GOP strategist also said that the Trump administration’s focus on the Iran war has made it difficult for Republicans to properly communicate their economic message, as the national average price for a gallon of gas sits at roughly $4.09, according to AAA.
“We don’t have good messaging right now,” he said. “We’re distracted because of the war and even then, we’re just not getting the message across, in my opinion.”
He predicted the Iran war will remain a top issue through Election Day, adding that voters generally rally behind a successful commander-in-chief during wartime.
When asked whether the Republican National Committee’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas in September could provide an opportunity to reset the party’s messaging, Rove said that while it could provide a boost, the effort could not wait until then.
“It could certainly get people in the right place for the final 60-some-odd days of the campaign,” Rove said. “But, A, it’s got to be done today rather than waiting five more weeks until September, and, B, it needs to be done by our candidates in their own individual states and districts.”
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