Darrell Grace has lived in Erie County,
Pennsylvania all his life. The former maintenance worker is an
avowed Steelers fan and muscle car aficionado.
In 2020, he voted for Biden.
But three years later, he says the economic growth the
president talks about isn't helping him.
How does the economy feel to you?
Doesn't feel well. You know,
it says everything is doing better,
but it doesn't feel that way.
Darrell's kids, both in their mid 20s and employed,
still live at home. When I retired,
I need stuff for my kids to be here with
me.
And I was like my golden years,
me and the wife. You thought you'd be empty nesters.
Yeah, you know, having fun.
You know, that's where his vote come November.
If it's Biden and Trump,
it's bad. Are you considering going third party?
Yeah. Yeah, President Biden narrowly flipped this bellwether county in
2020 thanks to strong Democratic turnout and won the state.
But with his approval rating on the economy at just
36%,
polls show swing state Pennsylvania is very much in play.
I think he is done a good job.
Republican turned independent, Marianne Frantino is planning to support Biden.
We did not go into a recession.
It's kind of surprising that people aren't more in support
of him.
He has a real PR problem.
A big PR problem. That problem for the president is
playing out at Eduardo's Tavern,
where we met a group of conservative customers.
You've got low unemployment rates,
wages are up, inflation is easing,
stock markets doing well. What are you feeling any of
that?
How do you feel about the economy day-to-day?
I'm not sure I agree with what you just said.
I never planned on using some of the money that
I saved to retire that I had to use.
Because of the economy, groceries,
gas, everything you have to buy every day is.
Way more expensive than previous years.
Do you feel like there's a a disconnect between what
the what the Biden administration is saying about how good
the economy is versus what you feel?
A disconnect that Democrats will have to address this election
year Dasha Burns,
NBC News, Erie, PA.