CNN Newsroom was sticking to the White House marching orders Thursday as they parroted President Biden’s line that the soaring cost of fuel was because of “Putin’s price hikes.” They were so intent on adhering to their factious script that they literally laughed at the idea (we know it’s fact) that inflation was a feature, not a bug, of the Biden presidency. They even suggested inflation wasn’t really an issue until Russia invaded Ukraine.
Following co-host Victor Blackwell announcing inflation was at “7.9 percent over the last year” and how it hasn’t been that high “in 40 years since January of 1982,” co-host Alisyn Camerota parroted the White House talking points about “Putin’s price hikes”:
President Biden blames Putin saying, quote, “Today’s inflation report is a reminder that Americans’ budgets are being stretched by price increases and families are starting to feel the impacts of Putin’s price hike. A large contributor to inflation this month was an increase in gas and energy prices as markets reacted to the markets responded to Putin’s aggressive actions.”
And as Camerota introduced global economic analyst Rana Foroohar, the two of them shared something of a laugh over the notion (fact) that Biden’s policies have caused this harmful inflation:
CAMEROTA – Rana, it’s great having you around. Ok, it is true, as many politicians know. Many act as if President Biden inflicted the problem.
RANA FOROOHAR [Laughter]
CAMEROTA : — and he will fix it. What can he do to change it?
Foroohar argued that Biden didn’t really have anything to do with inflation and that he could only “do things at the margins. He can release some of the strategic petroleum reserves which he’s called for.”
She was chuckling because of something she saw in struggling American families.. “But, no [laughter] he did not cause the war which caused prices to surge,”She asserted.
“Now, inflation was already rising for sure,” Foroohar conceded as she tried to downplay the fact that Blackwell announced that inflation number was over the last year. “We had supply chain issues. Some of that was actually because of good news meaning a really strong recovery, stronger than people would have expected following that latest wave of COVID.”
Blackwell leaned back on the administration’s talking points as they moved to talk about fuel prices and Americans suffering at the pumps. “Jen Psaki says that inflation, gas prices are in large part due to Putin’s war, there is some credence to that.”
“100 percent,” Foroohar agreed. Foroohar agreed. only an “uptick in oil prior to the invasion of Ukraine” and there was only a “surge after that, and they will go up further if there are more bans on energy.”
In reality, as GasBuddy’s analysis shows us, gas prices have been on an upward trajectory for Biden’s entire presidency.
This gave us the chance to sell people expensive electric vehicles and make them feel bad about climate change.
Actually, I believe there’s room to mix them. Climate change and energy security. Think about how the U.S., Europe and other countries could work together to increase LNG production and get more gas to Europe. In return for Europe cooperating with us in achieving our climate goals. You want national security. This means that you have to get out of this conflict, but also transitioning into high-growth technologies in the future.
“I mean, that’s where not only saving the planet is going to come from but jobs are going to come from. So, kind of see it as a moment potentially for a grand bargain, if we can get the pieces right,” Foroohar boasted.
The lucrative sponsorships of Angi and Leesa sleep made it possible to launch this misleading campaign in defense of Biden. You can find their contact information here.
Below is the transcript. Click “expand to read:
CNN Newsroom
March 10, 2022
Eastern at 3:40 p.m.VICTOR BLACKWELL: Today’s inflation report by the Federal Government shows that the Consumer Price Index has increased 7.9 percent in the past year. This is a 40-year high, which we’ve not seen since 1982.
ALISYN CAMEROTA. Rising food prices and rising housing costs are just a few of the many reasons why energy costs have risen so much since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
President Biden blames Putin saying, quote, “Today’s inflation report is a reminder that Americans’ budgets are being stretched by price increases and families are starting to feel the impacts of Putin’s price hike. A large contributor to inflation this month was an increase in gas and energy prices as markets reacted to the markets responded to Putin’s aggressive actions.”
Rana Foroohar, CNN’s global economic analyst joins us. Rana: It’s great having you with us, Rana. As you may know, inflation is caused by many politicians.
RANA FOROOHAR [Laughter]
CAMEROTA : — And he can make it right. What can he do to fix it?
FOROOHAR: He can make things work at the margins. He may be able to release certain strategic petroleum reserves that he has requested. He could probably get bipartisan support for more drilling. This is something that’s on the table. However, there is no guarantee. [laughter]He was not the one who caused war, which led to prices rising.
Inflation was rising already. Supply chain problems were a problem. Good news meant a strong recovery. It was stronger than anyone would have expected after the latest COVID wave. This war will bring gas and oil up. There is no question. The same goes for grain. A quarter of world’s total grain resources are held in Russia and Ukraine.
BLACKWELL
FOROOHAR: 100 percent. Although oil prices were slightly higher before the invasion of Ukraine, they rose dramatically thereafter. They will only go up further if energy is banned.
American officials are banning Russian oil. European allies have been trying to fill that gap. You know that Russia supplies 40% of the energy they use, so if they pull more from the market, it will lead to higher inflation. We’re unlikely to be able to overcome this short-term problem in the next year.
CAMEROTA: The U.S. has 38 billion barrels untapped oil resources. Is it possible to drill out the way out?
FOROOHAR : This has been quite contentious in particular within the Democratic Party. The environmentalists say no. It’s time to transition to cleaner.
Actually, I believe there’s room to mix them. Climate change and energy security. Think about how the U.S., Europe and other countries could work together to increase LNG production and get more gas to Europe. In return for Europe cooperating with us in achieving our climate goals. You want national security. This means that you have to get out of this conflict, but also transition to high-growth technologies in the future.
This is where the jobs and saving the earth will come from. It’s a chance to make a great deal if you get all the pieces in place.
(…)
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