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Republicans Presidential Hopefuls Get a Second Chance to Focus on Bidenflation
Can Republican presidential hopefuls make the case against Bidenflation in this Wednesday’s GOP primary debate at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley?
The gaggle of Republican politicians who participated in the first GOP debate notoriously had almost nothing to say about inflation. Even economic policy more broadly barely made the cut with those on the debate stage or the moderators overseeing the event in Milwaukee.
The word “inflation” was uttered just seven times during the first GOP primary debate, according to Marketwatch’s count. The economy was mentioned 22 times, but there was very little substantial policy offered. Spending came up 19 times, but here too the Republicans seemed content to grouse rather than offer much in the way of alternatives to Biden’s spending.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina made a reference to “16 percent inflation” coupled with laments about the rising price of gasoline, food, and electricity. Former Vice President Mike Pence brought up inflation in his closing remarks—almost as an afterthought. Same with Nikki Haley. Governors Doug Burgum (R-ND) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL) brought up energy prices and the failure of Biden’s energy policy.
Ukraine, on the other hand, merited 23 mentions. Donald Trump, who declined to attend the event in Milwaukee and will not be at this week’s debate in California, came up 23 times as well.
We described this as an example of the Republicans trying to live up to the John Stuart Mills’ description of British Conservatives as “the stupidest party.”
There should be no doubt that inflation and the economy are key weaknesses of President Joe Biden’s bid for a second term. In the latest polling from The Economist and YouGov, just 40 percent say they approve of Biden when it comes to “jobs and the economy,” with 53 percent disapproving. When it comes to inflation, just 33 percent give Biden their approval, and 60 percent say they disapprove, including 48 percent who strongly disapprove.
