President Joe Biden recently sat down for a rare, one-on-one television interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett in Wisconsin, where he is focusing on building up manufacturing and tech jobs in the Midwest. The interview came as he trailed former President Donald Trump in multiple national and swing-state polls, and his policy supporting Israel created a divide among younger, progressive voters. Biden discussed polling data showing him trailing Trump on the economy but asserted that the data has been wrong all along, emphasizing that people are personally satisfied with their own situations despite widespread dissatisfaction with the nation’s condition.
Regarding inflation, Biden acknowledged the increased prices of groceries and other essentials but attributed it to anger about corporate greed rather than an inability to afford things. He highlighted a University of Michigan survey showing an uptick in consumer sentiment despite overall pessimism about economic conditions. In a CNN poll, many Americans expressed dissatisfaction with their personal financial situations, especially those with lower incomes, people of color, and younger individuals.
Biden defended his economic record by contrasting it with Trump’s, claiming he has created over 15 million jobs. He pointed out a failed plan by Trump to bring tech manufacturing jobs to the Midwest and announced a new plan by Microsoft to build a data hub in Wisconsin to train workers in artificial intelligence. While Biden’s job creation numbers are accurate, it’s essential to consider the context of the significant job losses during the pandemic. He emphasized his Scranton perspective on the economy compared to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago perspective.
On the issue of election integrity, Biden expressed concern about Trump not accepting election results and threatening retribution against his opponents if reelected. He criticized Trump for undermining democracy and highlighted the support he has received from leaders of other democracies who are rooting for him to ensure the stability of their own democracies. Biden also addressed criticisms of his handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict, acknowledging the protests and concerns expressed by young Americans while condemning hate speech and threats against Jewish students.
Biden admitted that civilians have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli actions, leading him to delay a shipment of powerful bombs and advise against military operations in certain population centers. He affirmed the US commitment to helping Israel defend itself but emphasized the importance of avoiding civilian casualties. Biden cited the mistakes made in the US response to the 9/11 attacks as lessons to learn from when considering military actions and interventions. Overall, the interview provided insight into Biden’s perspectives on key issues impacting his presidency and the nation as a whole.
