MSNBC’s Tur Pushes Biden from Left on Forgiving Student Loans

Geoff Bennett, MSNBC contributor and Katy Tur host on MSNBC lamented Friday’s inability to pay more federal funds by agreeing with student debt forgiveness — something many Democrats believe will help them gain support from young voters this election year.

Bennett said that Tur had argued for more student aid, because college has become more expensive.

Some Democrats also believe the system is unfair. Young people are told to attend college, and they must take out loans to get there. Now they face punishment for doing so. BENNETT – And this is a disconnect. There are Democrats at grassroots — and even the Congress level – who believe that the President doesn’t understand this issue.

He said: “And Sahil Kapur mentioned the President. Based on my reporting is dug in. This amount should not exceed $10,000 –.”.

Tur leapt in and exclaimed, “Why?” as Bennett continued:

He will do everything he can to help. He has stated that it is an issue of fairness for the President. On his campaign trail, he said that students who go to Harvard, Yale and Penn should not have to repay student loans. This suggests that maybe he feels that the highest education levels are those most likely to benefit. … The majority of Americans do not have student loans, as most Americans did not go to college. This has been an issue, and one of the main stumblingblocks in this White House.

These two were quickly added to:

TUR:  I’m confused by the idea that we’re not going to help you be a better, more educated citizen in this country by going to college and trying to give back. To me, it doesn’t make much sense.

BENNETT – Yes, I agree with your arguments on all points. It’s also one reason why the White House even considers restructuring —

As she urged for increased spending on social programs, the MSNBC host invoked military assistance to Ukraine.

It’s obvious that the war in Ukraine requires a large amount of money. The President Biden asked Congress to approve $33Billion for the aid to the Ukrainian people. There aren’t many people who think that this is a bad idea. I also believe there are some people asking, “Where did that money come? It’s hard to believe that millions can go to a foreign country, but we are being told back home that there is no way to forgive student loan debt. We can’t take parental leave. Basic social services will help people get out of poverty. People who are experiencing hardship must find it difficult to accept this.

Verizon was a sponsor of this push to encourage more liberal spending. You can find their contact information here.

The following is a transcription:

MSNBC Reports
April 29, 2022
Eastern, 11:41

KATY TUR: I think there is an argument to talk about the age of people currently in Congress and in the White House. The cost of college was a lot lower when they attended it. It was possible to work your way through college. Going to college — While I can understand that you need to “work your way through,” college is now extremely expensive. It costs 50-60, 70,000, plus housing. Then you consider that the impact on the economy and your job prospects once you graduate is quite poor.

MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR, GEOFF Bennett: There are Democrats who think that the system is unfair. They tell youth to go to college. But, they need to borrow money to pay for their education. And now they are being punished.

TUR: Yeah.

BENNETT – There is a disconnect and Democrats at grassroots levels — even the level of Congress — say the President doesn’t understand this issue.

TUR Elizabeth Warren is one example of such a person.

BENNETT: Yeah, yeah. Based on my reporting, Sahil Kapur mentioned that the President was named. This should be kept as close to 10,000 —

TUR: Why?!

BENNETT – As much as possible. According to the President, fairness is a matter of principle. On his campaign trail, he said that students who go to Harvard, Yale and Penn should not have to repay student loans. This suggests that maybe he feels that the highest education levels are those most likely to benefit. … The majority of Americans do not have student loans, as most Americans did not go to college. That has been a major problem, one of my major concerns in the White House.

Geoff: It’s not only the Ivy elite schools that are so expensive, TUR. Most colleges can cost thousands per year. When you consider housing and books, the cost of community college is often much higher. Although it’s not nearly as expensive, I am still confused about the notion that college will not help you become a more educated citizen of this country. To me, it doesn’t make much sense.

BENNETT – Yes, I agree with your arguments on all points. It’s also one reason why the White House even considers restructuring —

TUR

BENNETT, Yes. And they realize that loans taken in college can end up costing them their future.

SAHIL KAPUR NBC SENIOR NATIONAL POLICY REPORTER This is why this gap exists.

(…)

TUR: As you know, wars in Ukraine are expensive. President Biden has asked Congress to spend $33 billion on Ukraine for aid. There aren’t many people who think that this is a bad idea. I also believe there are some people asking, “Where did that money come? It’s hard to believe that millions can be sent to a country that isn’t eligible for forgiveness of student loan debt. We’re also being told that our children can’t get basic social services that will lift them out of poverty. People who are experiencing hardship must find it difficult to accept this.