Election 2024: Candidates, Congress, and Weary Constituents

Political pundits Bob Marsh and Bob Stevenson, from the Washington, DC-based boutique lobby firm OB-C, sit down with Natixis’ Kari Grant, Vice President of Government Relations, to discuss round two of a Biden vs Trump rematch, voters’ lackluster appetite for either candidate, and critical domestic and international issues that need to be addressed.

• Polling shows that neither candidate is popular and 78% of the American people would prefer another choice. Voters seem to be losing faith in candidates and Congress and should brace for a long and negative campaign.
• The election is going to be extraordinarily close and likely decided by suburban voters in seven states, including Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina.
• Important issues on Americans’ minds include immigration, border security, abortion, inflation, crime, and tax policy.
• The 2017 tax cuts are set to expire. If they do, Americans will have to pay $3.1 trillion in new taxes, over a 10-year window. Trump wants to extend, but Biden wants to continue cuts only for those people making less than $400,000.
• Inflation is weighing on voters’ minds, with grocery bills their number one concern.
• Younger voters, concerned with climate change, abortion, and social media access, say both candidates don’t understand their needs.