March 25: Inflation, Latinos, and other problems for Democrats

In which, the global effects of the war in Ukraine take hold, America’s world standing improves (but Biden’s polls continue to fall), and Kentanji Brown Jackson takes the hot seat.

Inflation, Latinos and other problems for Democrats 

President Biden headed to Europe this week for meetings with G7, NATO, and EU leaders, and quite possibly a visit with Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

It’s a consequential visit given the ongoing war in Ukraine and the challenge that presents to American diplomacy and European security. However, it’s also consequential domestically because problems continue to stack up for President Biden and his party while polls continue to go down… and down.

Inflation continues to climb along with the prices of essential goods like gas, but inflation took on a more dangerous cast for a Democratic Party that bills itself as the party that represents minorities: Inflation is increasingly adversely affecting Latino households and appears to be accelerating the rate at which Latinos are leaving the Democratic Party.

This is significant. Not just for the midterms, but if this trend holds, it could seriously undermine Democratic plans to take advantage of America’s changing demographics to build an enduring multiracial coalition especially if the 2020 Census’ undercount of Latinos reflects the shifting political alignment as well.

That’s all in the future, right now, though, that inflation is pummeling American households and the high price of gas is the more immediate problem. Multiple states have already suspended their state gas taxes (usually the highest tax on gas), while others like California are rolling out subsidy programs (because more inflation is exactly what we need).

Interesting note on the midterms: Pew Research indicates that Americans are evenly divided on backing the two main parties this year, BUT Republicans appear to be much more motivated to win back Congress.

Nothing a SCOTUS pick can’t fix, right?

After a week of Senate hearings that did not nearly rise to the level of ire and outcry the Kavanaugh and Barrett hearings did (though it had its tense moments), it appears as though Jackson is set to take retiring Justice Stephen Breyer’s chair in the coming term.

The hearings were not without the theatrical dust ups of possible presidential contenders trying to score points with Senators Cruz and Hawley playing the roles filled by Senators Harris and Booker the last couple of times.

But will Jackson’s nomination, generally supported by a majority of Americans, help the President’s flagging image? That’s doubtful. Biden may be fulfilling his campaign promise to nominate a black woman to the Supreme Court, but that promise matters only to his eroding base, and counts for even less when the President is failing to address bigger issues (see above).  

I don’t mean to downplay the truly historical moment of Kentanji Brown Jackson’s nomination. In fact, I believe it's unfortunate that Jackson’s nomination is generally being overshadowed by an administration grasping for wins.