A top House Republican is calling prices at the pump — top of mind for many Americans — mere “headwinds.” It's his second economic miss this week, after he wrongly claimed days ago that ground beef costs less than $2.00 a pound.
Fox Business host Stuart Varney on Friday told House Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, “I think you’ve got a problem.”
“$4.00 gas, $6.00 diesel, 7 percent mortgages,” Varney pointed out. “It’s hard to argue that you’re better than them when it comes to the economy.”
“Them,” of course, being Democrats.
“Well,” Emmer replied, “we do have a lot to sell.”
“We have accomplished a ton,” he continued. He rattled off GOP talking points, like “no taxes on overtime,” “no taxes on tips,” and said Republicans raised the child care tax credit.
“Yes, there are headwinds that are created by $6.00 diesel, $4.00 gas, groceries, I mean, these are headwinds that you’ve got to deal with,” Emmer said.
Congressman Emmer may call the price of gas at the pump and the price of groceries at the checkout “headwinds,” but polls make clear the degree of hardship for the average American.
“Roughly three-quarters of voters have rated economic conditions negatively for the past year, and more than three times as many say they are falling behind financially as getting ahead, according to a Fox News survey released Wednesday,” the media outlet reported. “And by a wide margin, the Democrats are considered the party that would better handle inflation at a time when the cost of living and the economy are voters’ top concerns.”
Fox dove into the numbers: “Costs of everyday items are a hardship for voters: 61% say gas prices are a major problem, up from 48% two years ago, while 52% say the same for healthcare costs, up from 44%. Majorities also view housing costs (54%, down from 60%) and grocery prices (62%, down from 66%) as major problems.”
The midterms are now 46 days away, with early voting already underway in some states — including Congressman Emmer’s.
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