Washington Post: “Paul De Santis and Jodie Helms both say the economy looks different than it did just a few weeks ago. De Santis, 47, a Democrat in Freeland, Md., who called the economy ‘poor’ this fall, is now upbeat, while Helms, 40, a Republican in Ballinger, Tex., fears the end of what she recently saw as ‘excellent’ conditions. The economy, which continues its slow healing from the pandemic recession, actually isn’t all that different than it was in the fall. But there has been a change in what increasingly determines opinions about the economic landscape: the identity of the party controlling the White House.”

“‘The outlook with the Biden administration coming in to replace the Trump administration is what will improve things,’ De Santis said. ‘I’m 100 percent sure if Biden ends up in the White House, it won’t be good for my family,’ said Helms, who retains hope that President Trump will overturn the election outcome. Biden urges a new economic relief package and warns again of a ‘dark winter’ ahead. The views of De Santis and Helms symbolize a striking partisan divide that emerged in the Trump era – when Republicans began routinely viewing the economy in a better light than Democrats – and now may be hardening into permanence. Over the past five months – and especially since the presidential election – the parties have switched places. Democrats became notably more buoyant, while Republicans just as quickly turned gloomy.”