$2 trillion vote-buying flop: Suddenly Dems don't want to talk about the American Rescue Plan

Democratic candidates in competitive Senate races this fall have spent little time on the trail or the airwaves touting the centerpiece provisions of their party’s $1.9 trillion economic rescue package, which party leaders had hoped would help stave off losses in the House and Senate in midterm elections. In part, that is because the rescue plan has become fodder for Republicans to attack Democrats over rapidly rising prices, accusing them of overstimulating the economy with too much cash.

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The economic aid, which was intended to help keep families afloat amid the pandemic, included two centerpiece components for households: the direct checks of up to $1,400 for lower- to middle-class individuals and an expanded child tax credit, worth up to $300 per child per month. It was initially seen as Mr. Biden’s signature economic policy achievement, in part because the tax credit dramatically reduced child poverty last year. Polls suggested Americans knew they had received money and why — giving Democrats hope they would be rewarded politically.

Liberal activists are particularly troubled that Democratic candidates are not focusing more on the payments to families.

[The payments were popular until (a) the money got spent and (b) the bill came due on the profligate spending. It didn’t take long for people to grasp what an idiotic policy it was to stimulate demand in a supply crisis, nor to recognize that Joe Biden and Democrats still haven’t any plan to deal with either. That’s why they’re not talking about it on the campaign trail, and why they’re attempting to distract voters on abortion and Trump. — Ed]

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