In a recent interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, President Joe Biden was confronted with a series of economic data points that raised questions about his handling of the economy. Throughout his campaign and first few months in office, Biden has consistently touted his plans to revitalize the economy and create jobs. However, Burnett’s data points painted a different picture.
According to Burnett, the economy has long been a top issue for voters as election day approaches. Polling has consistently shown that voters have more faith in former President Donald Trump’s ability to handle the economy, with the most recent Harvard/CAPS Harris survey showing that 57 percent of respondents described the state of the U.S. economy as “weak.” This number is almost identical to the percentage of respondents who believe the economy is on the “wrong track.”
Burnett went on to list a number of statistics that challenge Biden’s record on the economy. For example, she pointed out that the cost of buying a home in the United States has doubled when accounting for inflation, but is actually down since Biden took office. Additionally, economic growth fell far short of expectations last week, and consumer confidence is at a near two-year low.
With less than six months to go before election day, Burnett asked Biden if he was worried about running out of time to turn the economy around. The president’s response was “we’ve already turned it around.” He pointed to a recent Michigan survey showing that 65 percent of Americans think they are in good shape economically. However, he acknowledged that they may also believe the nation as a whole is not in good shape.
When Burnett pressed further, Biden responded by saying that polling data had been wrong all along. He added, “How many folks do you have to call to get one response?” This defense, while seemingly dismissive of Burnett’s data points, has been a common tactic used by the Biden Administration.
Throughout the interview, Biden continued to defend his economic record, citing the false claim that he has created 9 million jobs. While it is true that the economy has added jobs since his inauguration, the vast majority of these are individuals returning to work after government-mandated pandemic lockdowns. This does not necessarily indicate a thriving economy, as many Americans still remain out of work due to the pandemic.
Biden also argued that “we may have been in a situation where people have access to good paying jobs.” However, despite his optimism, the reality is that millions of Americans are struggling to find steady work and make ends meet. This is reflected in the low consumer confidence numbers and the overall negative perception of the economy.
As the interview came to a close, Biden maintained his stance that the economy was on the right track. He assured Burnett that his administration’s policies were working and that the economy would continue to improve. However, given the data points presented by Burnett and the ongoing struggle for many Americans, it remains to be seen how voters will ultimately view Biden’s handling of the economy in the upcoming election.
Overall, Burnett’s interview with President Biden presented a candid look at the current state of the economy and the challenges facing the administration. By presenting data and challenging the president on his record, Burnett provided valuable insight into an issue that continues to be a top concern for voters. As the election draws nearer, it remains to be seen how the economy will ultimately impact voters’ decisions at the polls.
