President Biden in a speech Wednesday attacked Republicans for embracing what he described as an “extreme” agenda, seeking to contrast the GOP’s economic vision of the country with his own in perhaps his sharpest criticism of Republicans before the midterm elections.
Biden zeroed in on the “11-Point Plan to Rescue America” plan offered by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, arguing that Republicans favor raising taxes. to middle-class Americans.
“Let me tell you about this ultra MAGA planner. It’s extreme, as is most of the MAGA stuff,” Biden said in remarks at the White House, seeking to link the plan to former President Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again.”
Biden said Scott’s plan, which notably has not been accepted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and has created controversy within the GOP, would raise taxes on millions of American families and put put programs like Social Security in jeopardy.
Scott’s plan doesn’t explicitly call for an end to Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, but it does propose suspending all federal legislation every five years that would force Congress to reauthorize important programs.
“I think it’s really outrageous,” Biden said. “I have offered a different plan, a plan rooted in American values of fairness and decency.”
Biden outlined his proposal to pay for his national climate and social spending package by raising taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans and imposing a minimum tax on billionaires. He also touted his efforts to reduce the federal deficit.
“I don’t want to hear Republicans talk about deficits and their ultra MAGA agenda. I want to hear about fairness. I want to hear about decency. I want to hear about helping ordinary people,” Biden said.
The renewed message comes as Democrats grapple with rising inflation ahead of the midterm elections. Biden’s low approval numbers and widespread voter frustration over high prices and the COVID-19 pandemic have many Democrats bracing for losses in November.
And despite the best efforts of the White House, Biden has failed to get Senate Democrats to come together and pass his national proposal to address climate change and expand social programs.
Scott responded to Biden’s comments on Fox News and accused Biden of misrepresenting his plan, while criticizing the president for not mentioning inflation during his speech.
“Almost every sentence was a complete lie,” Scott said.
Democrats have embraced Scott as a villain ahead of the midterms, referencing his 11-point plan in speeches and political ads.
The White House has tried to draw a contrast to the Republican agenda for the economy, including attacking Scott’s plan, but Biden is often reluctant to lean toward attacks on Republicans. Instead, the president often prioritizes a more unifying message, a practice that has been on display as his administration seeks bipartisan support for his response to the Russian war in Ukraine.
As such, Biden’s extended criticism of what he called the “MAGA” agenda was a notable departure from his usual rhetoric. He is likely to pander to some Democrats who have urged Biden to be tougher on the GOP. echoed comments the president recently made during appearances on a trip west.
Biden even returned to criticism in response to a reporter’s question about a recent leaked Supreme Court draft opinion on abortion, which he argued could lead to an erosion of other rights.
“What are the next things that are going to be attacked?” Biden responded. “Because this MAGA crowd is really the most extreme political organization that has ever existed in the history of the United States, in the recent history of the United States.”
–Updated at 12:47 pm
Reference-thehill.com