It's indeed true that Galston not only doesn't seem to talk to any economists, but apparently doesn't talk to any other political scientists, most of whom would in fact tell him that making unemployment significantly worse in order to appeal to what voters answer about...
pundit’s fallacy
I sure hope the GOP listens to Ed Morrissey:Did the House GOP caucus take a hard line on pork-barrel spending or adopt policies to cut federal spending? No. Republican voters.