When asked by Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy during Thursday’s daily press briefing, Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, resorted to blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin as the cause of the U.S. economic woes.
“Why do you think it is that 88% of people in this country, polled by Monmouth, think the country is on the wrong track?” Doocy asked in reference to a recent Monmouth University poll.
“I will say this: The President knows what the American people are going through”. Jean-Pierre responded that he understands why gas prices are so high due to Putin’s Tax Hike. He also knows about the brutal war in Ukraine that Putin has waged and their brave fight to defend their democracy.
“That’s exactly what we are seeing here. She also spoke of food insecurity, which has seen food prices skyrocket. The president has taken every step to reduce these high costs,” she said.
Reporter: “Why do you think it is that 88% of people in this country polled by Monmouth think the country’s on the wrong track?”
Karine Jean Pierre: “The President understands what the people are going through. He understands that gas prices are high bc of Putin’s tax hike.” pic.twitter.com/1VFJ7H7FYN
— Forbes (@Forbes) July 7, 2022
Although many are not defending Putin’s decision in Ukraine to invade, and the economic consequences that it has caused, this is not the whole story.
Russia plays a major role in the global economic system, but Jean Pierre fails to mention the domestic political failures that have made Americans think the country is headed for disaster. The American Rescue Plan and infrastructure bill were two of the major causes of government spending going off the tracks. The Wall Street Journal reported on this in February. Americans were deceived about the benefits of stimulus checks by being tricked into thinking that they would only be useful for a short time. Now, they are paying back those with higher prices all around.
The Biden administration is not interested in increasing domestic oil and gas supplies by drilling. This makes the United States dependent on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Saudi-ran Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) for their energy needs. They claim that it would be harmful to the environment to expand it and encourage renewable energy sources. The White House has yet to realize that renewable energy can be achieved while simultaneously supporting the oil and gas industry.
While economics are important, many people feel discouraged when the country is divided politically and their Commander in Chief doesn’t inspire hope. Jean-Pierre is doing her job. She cannot admit to these pitfalls. However, the White House may need to “Putin,” the effort and create a new messaging strategy.