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US Economy Will Sway 2024 Vote, Small Business Owners Say
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US Bidenomics Small Business Owners TVR))
HEADLINE: US Economy Will Sway 2024 Vote, Small Business Owners Say
TEASER: Inflation, post-COVID consumer behavior have taken toll on some small shops, restaurants in US capital
PUBLISHED AT: 08/02/2023 at 12:55pm
BYLINE: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
VIDEO EDITOR: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, MAS, dj okay
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Original VOA, Agencies
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:25
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ((Radio Tracks for Reversioning Included))
((TV INTRO))
[[The Biden administration has recently been emphasizing the strength of the U.S. economy, but some small business owners remain skeptical. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias visited their shops and found out more about their economic struggles, ahead of election season.]]
((NARRATOR))
U.S. President Joe Biden toured several states to promote his economic plan and highlight his administration’s achievements, including the creation of over 13 million new jobs since he was elected.
((President Joe Biden))
“Inflation is now at the lowest point it’s been in over two years, and wages are up after being adjusted for inflation.”
((NARRATOR))
But some small businesses in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of Washington are struggling to make ends meet.
Food prices are just too high, says Martha Bustos, manager of the Tex-Mex restaurant Laredo.
((Martha Bustos, Laredo Mexican Restaurant (female, Spanish)))
“We maintain the same prices and have to raise wages, so in the end, us merchants are left with almost nothing.”
((NARRATOR))
Liz Winchell owns a paint-your-own-pottery studio in the heart of Washington. She says she’s seen “zero” economic improvement under the Biden administration.
((Liz Winchell, All Fired Up Pottery Studio))
“The cost of rent and the cost of payroll, which are two things that are not something I can control, are very high.”
((NARRATOR))
While fully supporting President Biden’s economic policies, liquor store manager Anthony Quinn admits his business is also struggling, but he blames it on factors like climate change and the pandemic.
((Anthony Quinn, Cleveland Park Fine Wines & Spirits))
“Because we probably lost 80 percent of our business with COVID. Eighty percent! Maybe 85, maybe 90.”
((NARRATOR))
Jay Morris sells and repairs vacuums and sewing machines. He’s also seen less traffic at his store, which he attributes to a change in consumer habits.
((Jay Morris, Brothers Sew & Vac))
“Everything costs more. We used to see people come in and just say, 'Oh! I need this, I need that! And I’ll just take that.' Now they’re more careful.”
((NARRATOR))
And as for what issue they’ll prioritize when casting their votes in the 2024 presidential election,
[[RADIO INTRO: Liz Winchell]]
((Liz Winchell, All Fired Up Pottery Studio))
“It is the U.S. economy.”
[[RADIO INTRO: Jay Morris]]
((NARRATOR))
((Jay Morris, Brothers Sew & Vac))
“I think the economy is right up there, but I want a president that’s going to be fair to all people, and I like the way Biden feels on that.”
[[RADIO INTRO: Anthony Quinn]]
((Anthony Quinn, Cleveland Park Fine Wines & Spirits))
“I’m personally going to vote for Biden again. He’s enabled people to come in here and actually afford to buy something.”
[[RADIO INTRO: Martha Bustos]]
((Martha Bustos, Laredo Mexican Restaurant (female, Spanish)))
“May the best win. We’ll vote for the best one.”
((NARRATOR))
And that, in her words, would be the candidate who supports small businesses “to the fullest extent.”
((Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
