Flashback: Biden’s July Fourth message drastically different than year ago

Historic inflation, coupled with months of legislative setbacks, has saddled the president with his worst approval ratings since entering office. Meanwhile, midterm voters consistently rank the economy as their top priority, and with the looming prospect of losing control of Congress, the White House’s messaging sounds totally different than one year prior.

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Back then, the administration enthusiastically said that Biden’s policies had drastically reduced Independence Day price tags, repeatedly posting on social media and even putting together videos about how the president had cut the cost of a July 4 cookout by 16 cents compared to 2020.

“Planning a cookout this year? Ketchup on the news. According to the Farm Bureau, the cost of a 4th of July BBQ is down from last year,” the White House tweeted on July 1, 2021. “It’s a fact you must-hear(d). Hot dog, the Biden economic plan is working. And that’s something we can all relish.”

However, according to the Farm Bureau, a July 4 cookout this year will cost hosts $10 more than in 2021.

“Despite higher food prices, the supply chain disruptions and inflation have made farm supplies more expensive; like consumers, farmers are price-takers, not price-makers,” American Farm Bureau Foundation chief economist Roger Cryan said in a statement. “Bottom line, in many cases, the higher prices farmers are being paid aren’t covering the increase in their farm expenses. The cost of fuel is up, and fertilizer prices have tripled.”

Instead of heading into the holiday weekend this year touting the decreased costs of cookouts, Biden is forced to rally support for his proposed gas tax holiday.

“President Biden’s call for a federal gas tax holiday has overwhelming support from the American people,” the White House tweeted. “Congress should pause the federal gas and diesel tax for 90 days to help families pay less at the pump and states should find ways to deliver additional relief.”

Furthermore, Biden has gone on the defensive in recent weeks. Rather than focusing on his current record, he has drawn attention to Republicans, whom he claims will raise taxes on low- and middle-class consumers should they retake congressional majorities in November.

He has also suggested that criticizing him over the nearly $5-per-gallon national gas price average is tantamount to opposing Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders.

“The American people understood. The American people rose to the moment. The American people did what they always have done: defend freedom around the world. They chose to stand with the people of Ukraine,” Biden said during a speech announcing the gas tax holiday proposal.

“So for all those Republicans in Congress criticizing me today for high gas prices in America, are you now saying we were wrong to support Ukraine? Are you saying we were wrong to stand up to Putin? Are you saying that we would rather have lower gas prices in America and Putin’s iron fist in Europe? I don’t believe that,” he said.

It’s not just the economy that is troubling the president. Last Friday’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the nation’s landmark abortion ruling, is further souring his future political prospects.

“Today, I was joined by a group of governors who share my outrage at the Supreme Court’s extreme decision on Roe v. Wade,” he said Friday. “They understand what’s at stake, and they’re doing everything in their power to protect the women they serve.”

The president has urgently called on Congress to pass a bill codifying Roe v. Wade and has even gone so far as endorsing filibuster reform to get it done. However, following comments from Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), it does not look like Democrats have the votes to make good on Biden’s wish.

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“President Biden is desperately calling for something that will not happen before the midterms,” one senior Democratic staffer told the Washington Examiner. “It’s absolutely paramount voters put Roe on the ballot this year. From voting rights to clean energy, the current Congress has made it clear they’re incapable of acting on the issues voters care about, and now women’s lives are literally at stake. Something needs to be done.”