As Inflation Skyrockets, MSNBC Frets About Possible Doom for Dems in Midterms

The disastrous inflation numbers released on Thursday have even penetrated the liberal cocoon of MSNBC. One MSNBC host late late last year told viewers “the dirty little secret” of inflation is that Americans can afford it just fine. However, the network now worries about the possible disaster for Democrats during the 2022 midterms. 

CNBC economics reporter Steve Liesman did not try and sugarcoat the news that inflation soared 7.5 percent in January, telling host Chris Jansing: “I think you should take this exactly as it appears, which is it’s a bad number. The inflation rate is high …. So I’m afraid this number is bad and could get worse before at least the forecasts are it gets better towards the end of the year.” 

Jansing, however, eased in to the terrible ramifications for the Democrats: “Kristen is unsure if it will be better before the November election. The White House received some positive news, despite that. A fantastic report on January employment was released by the White House. According to the President, this is the highest level of job growth for 40 years. Was that what they are saying?” 

Kristen Welker opened by calling it a mixed-bad, and citing talking points from White House. 

This is the current economy mix. And Press Secretary Jen Psaki about what they were anticipating in these numbers during yesterday’s briefing. She said, “Look, we are bracing for a report where inflation is going to be above seven percent.” So that’s what they got.

She stresses that forecasters outside of the country predict it will eventually decrease or moderate. Chris, I agree with you. The political window to allow that should open up quickly in order to give the Democrats the confidence they need to win the next midterm elections. Will that be possible? 

Welker conceded, however, that time was running short: “They make the case at the White House, if you lower the cost on things like child care, prescription drugs, health care costs, that these prices will start to come down overall. You will be able to see the core of this inflation. But, again, all of this taking place against the backdrop of the 2020 midterms so the time line is quite urgent, Chris.” 

Jansing presented a list showing skyrocketing costs for chicken, snacks, sodas, and televisions just a moment earlier. 

Back on November 14, 2021, MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle appeared on theSaturday today and tried happy talk: “And the dirty little secret here, Willie [Geist], while nobody likes to pay more, on average we have the money to do so.” She emphasized that it was important to “put this in perspective.” 

Perspective is limited, even for MSNBC hosts. 

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Here is a portion of the transcript. Click “expand” to read more: 

Stephanie Ruhle Reports 
2/10/2022

STEVE LIESMAN (CNBC senior economics reporter):  I don’t see anything inside the report, like we often have, that says take it with a grain of salt. This is a terrible number, and you need to take it as it stands. The inflation rate is very high. But the problem is, I don’t expect much relief. At least not in the next few months. Higher energy prices, higher food costs, and higher used car prices are what we saw. 

…

LIESMAN : This number is very concerning and may get even worse. However, the forecasts show that it will be better by the end of this year. 

CHRIS JANSING – There is a political question Kristen about whether the situation will improve in time for November’s elections. The White House received some positive news, despite that. A fantastic report on January employment was released by the White House. According to the President, this is the highest level of job growth for 40 years. Was that what they are saying? 

WELKER : The economy is a mixed bag right now. And Press Secretary Jen Psaki about what they were anticipating in these numbers during yesterday’s briefing. She said, “Look, we are bracing for a report where inflation is going to be above seven percent.” So that’s what they got. It is important to stress that the outside forecasters are predicting that inflation will eventually decrease over time. Chris, you are right that the political window to allow this to occur politically is very short in order to empower Democrats heading into the midterms. Will that ever happen? 

This is where the problem lies. This is the question mark. In July, Biden had stated that these inflationary levels would only be temporary. However, now that we’re seeing yet another extremely difficult report, it seems that this prediction wasn’t right. The President will be visiting Culpepper County, Virginia later this afternoon. Abigail Spanberger is a Democrat running for re-election. He will be there with him. Their plan will lower the cost of prescription medications and reduce health care expenses. This President is likely to push again for parts of the Build Back Better plan. The White House argues that reducing the costs of things such as child care, prescription drugs and health care will lead to lower overall prices. You will be able to see the core of this inflation. Chris, however, this all takes place in the context of 2020 midterms, so Chris, the timeline is very urgent.