On December 12, USA Today reported that “28% of Americans approved of Biden’s handling of inflation, while a majority of Americans, at 69%, disapproved.” A few days later, the polling gurus at Five Thirty Eight dissed his handling of the economy under the headline “Why Biden Can’t Win On Inflation.” It’s worth repeating.
Prices in November were up 6.9 percent compared with a year ago, a record leap since 1982. And that comes alongside near-record-low consumer sentiment and a net approval rating for Biden of -7.6 percentage points.
December 2021 consumer sentiment (70.4) is well below December 2020 (80.7), and Biden’s all-polls disapproval (50.7%) dwarfs his all-polls approval (43.6%). Every word he utters is aspirational or political (in other words, he doesn’t have a clue). To wit…
Bill Clinton Empathy? Check! “It does affect families when you walk into a grocery store and you’re paying more for whatever you’re purchasing — it matters — price increases continue to squeeze family budgets.” In other words, I really, really care!
Barack Obama Clueless Explanation? Check! “The reason for inflation is that we have a supply chain problem that is really severe, causing a significant increase in prices in things that in fact are hard to get access to, [but] progress on pandemic related challenges to our supply chain make it more expensive to get goods on shelves. And I expect more progress on that in the weeks ahead.” In other words, have a yabba-dabba-doo time deciphering this!
Jimmy Carter Mixed Message? Check! “It matters to people when you’re paying more for gas, although in some states we’ve got the price down below three bucks a gallon, but the point is it’s not gone down quickly enough. But I think it will.” In other words, I was told to say this.
Donald Trump Gonzo Promise? Check! “I think it’s the peak of the crisis, a real bump in the road, [because] my Build Back Better plan will reduce costs for ordinary people.” In other words, free stuff costs less.
But…you knew this was coming, right? So don’t act shocked when CNBC airs those Hunter Biden Gold Hedge Fund infomercials.
BIG SHOUT OUT to Bob Gorrell (my friend) for his latest political cartoon (up top). Thank God for UVA conservatives!