The cracks in the Biden administration’s agenda are starting to show, with former White House chief of staff Ron Klain openly questioning the president’s political strategy.
In an exclusive audio obtained by POLITICO, Klain expressed his concerns that Biden is too focused on long-term infrastructure projects and not enough on immediate economic needs as he runs for reelection.
Klain called out Biden for spending too much time cutting ribbons on bridges and not enough time addressing the rising costs of everyday items such as eggs and milk. He pointed out that while infrastructure projects are a positive thing, the average American is more concerned with the high prices they are paying at the grocery store.
“I think the president is out there too much talking about bridges,” Klain said. “He does two or three events a week where he’s cutting a ribbon on a bridge. And here’s a bridge. Like I tell you, if you go into the grocery store, you go to the grocery store and, you know, eggs and milk are expensive, the fact that there’s a f***g bridge is not [inaudible].”
The former chief of staff also criticized the administration for not effectively framing the messaging around Biden’s accomplishments. He argued that the president needs to focus on the future and contrast his agenda with that of the Republicans rather than just touting what has already been achieved.
This is not the first time Klain has voiced his concerns over the Biden administration’s strategy. He has been pushing for a laser focus on bringing down costs and easing the strain on family budgets. Klain has been monitoring the price of gas every morning and has cautioned against taking a victory lap on inflation.
The White House responded to Klain’s comments by stating that there is no disagreement in terms of strategy. However, it’s evident that the administration has some tension over effectively communicating Biden’s accomplishments and plans for the future.
Some Democrats have also expressed similar concerns about the balance between celebrating achievements and looking toward the future. They believe that Biden should take a page from his own State of the Union address, which was well-received and focused on framing the agenda as a choice for Americans.
Despite the administration’s attempts to spin the situation, it is clear that they are struggling to find a cohesive and persuasive message for the American people. Biden’s recent nationwide tour, in which he talked about everything from housing to healthcare costs, has failed to resonate with the public.
This is a golden opportunity for the Republicans to step in and offer a viable alternative to Biden’s agenda. They can highlight the failures and flaws in the administration’s policies and present a clear and appealing vision for the future. It is time for the Biden administration to listen to the concerns of their own party and start focusing on the real issues that are affecting everyday Americans.
