Axelrod Comments On CNN Interview
President Joe Biden is facing criticism from both Republican and Democratic commentators over his handling of the economy. Former Obama adviser and CNN political analyst David Axelrod called Biden's stance on the economy a "terrible mistake" and warned that it could lead to his defeat in the upcoming election.
In an interview with CNN, Biden defended his record on the economy, citing one poll that shows most Americans believe they are "personally in good shape" economically. He also touted America's strong economy compared to other countries and accused the media of skewing polling data to paint a negative picture. However, Axelrod pointed out that while the economy may be doing well overall, people are still struggling with the rising cost of living.
Axelrod, known for his expertise on Democratic messaging, criticized Biden for not leading with more empathy and connecting with people's everyday struggles. He suggested that this approach may be a result of Biden's pride, and warned that if he does not win the election, it may be due to his own mishandling of the economy.
CNN: "Grocery prices are up 30%+ ... that's a real day-to-day pain that people feel..."
BIDEN: "They have the money to spend!"
Then he repeats the debunked lie about Snickers bars and "corporate greed." pic.twitter.com/3qJDyK1bvy
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 8, 2024
CNN panelist Scott Jennings echoed Axelrod's sentiments, noting that Biden's economic messaging has been "incredibly weak" and that he must be "mortified" by polls showing that the American people still trust former President Donald Trump more on the economy.
While the White House has repeatedly touted strong economic stats, the American public does not seem to be satisfied with Biden's job performance. A March poll by Fox News showed that only 38% of Americans approve of Biden's handling of the economy. This is concerning for Biden as a strong economy is usually a key factor in garnering public approval.
BIDEN: "We've held up the weapons" for Israel pic.twitter.com/0K72YOIvQZ
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 8, 2024
Moreover, the RealClearPolitics average of polls shows that Trump still has the edge over Biden in key swing states that are crucial for winning the election. This could spell trouble for Biden's re-election chances if the economy continues to be a weak spot for his administration.
Biden's comments defending his economic record come at a time when many Americans are feeling the pinch of inflation and rising prices. This has led to concerns about the overall health of the economy and whether or not the Biden administration's policies are truly working for the middle class.
BIDEN (confused again): "If you look at the data, these demonstrations are real but they're not nearly, I mean, look, and everybody — I made a speech on the Holocaust the other day" pic.twitter.com/Ew7L9tK0Dv
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 8, 2024
Critics have also pointed out that despite the strong economic recovery, there are still millions of Americans who remain unemployed due to the pandemic. This has resulted in a growing divide between those who are benefiting from the economic upswing and those who are still struggling to make ends meet.
Biden's stance on the economy has also been called into question by his recent handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Jennings noted that Biden appears to be wavering on important issues, and this may be turning off voters who are looking for strong and decisive leadership.
BIDEN: "It made sense to go get bin Laden..."
REMINDER: Biden *opposed* the raid on bin Laden — and counseled Obama against it. pic.twitter.com/kUEsc7Zx3D
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 8, 2024
As the 2022 mid-term elections approach, it will be interesting to see if Biden will heed the warnings of Axelrod and Jennings and change his approach to address the concerns of everyday Americans. If not, there may be a chance that his pride and mishandling of the economy could ultimately lead to his defeat at the polls.