Despite Solid Economic Gains, Gloomy Public Sentiment Clouds Biden's 2024 Prospects
• Economy by many measures is strong - low unemployment, cooling inflation, avoiding recession - but public sentiment remains negative
• Widest gap ever between economic health and public perception; poses risk for Biden in 2024 election
• White House struggling to highlight progress as people want absolute decline in prices, not just slower inflation
• Republicans seizing on dissatisfaction to criticize Biden; some economists "mystified" by negativity amid solid economy
• Multiple theories why - pandemic disruption, loss of aid, social media, partisan views - but sentiment still weighing down consumer confidence