Of course. Non-Americans only really have two sources of information, the statistics (for the specialists and the journalists) and popular culture (for the rest), both of which tell them how great things are. But the American electorate itself has a third source of information, which is their own experience. If you can't get a job, or can't afford food, you won't be happy, even if the statistics tell you you should be, and that is more likely to affect your vote.

Of course, this only works if at least some politicians offer a genuine choice, which is another matter.