Staff Reports
Democrats facing tough reelection bids have suddenly found it convenient to boast about their legislative achievements, particularly in areas like drug pricing and infrastructure, all while conveniently omitting the person who signed those bills into law: President Joe Biden. Apparently, when one’s approval ratings are lower than a snake’s belly, it’s wiser to act like one is the star of the show without mentioning the lead actor.
Take Senator Jon Tester from Montana, for example. He’s in a nail-biter of a race against Republican Tim Sheehy and has taken to promoting his efforts with the Inflation Reduction Act. Tester seems to think that touting budget-friendly initiatives like capping insulin prices will distract voters from the fact that it was Biden’s administration that actually put pen to paper. It’s as if he’s mastered the art of selective storytelling, carefully crafting his narrative while leaving out the key details—like who’s actually the president. If only Montanans could vote for initiatives without having to attach a name to them; it would make the whole reelection process a breezy affair.
Democrats in some of the most competitive Senate races this cycle are touting their party’s legislative accomplishments – from the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure bill & CHIPS Act. Here's a sampling of ads airing from MT to MI. @dcexaminer pic.twitter.com/sewmGnGYXz
— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) October 1, 2024
In a bold move to charm senior citizens, Tester has even put out ads featuring a local resident with diabetes sharing how Tester bravely “took on” the drug companies, pulling insulin prices down to $35 a month. But one has to wonder, is it really “taking on” a company when it was government regulations that forced those prices down? It’s reminiscent of a magician pulling coins from behind a child’s ear while ignoring the fact that the coins were already placed there by an assistant. Voters in his state might start feeling like they’ve wandered into a political magic show instead of a serious debate.
Meanwhile, in other battleground states, Senate Democrats are similarly flexing their muscles on bipartisan projects like the Infrastructure Bill and the CHIPS Act—both of which are seen as governmental attempts to fight tooth and nail against a crumbling America. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan is heralding her role in ensuring that American cars get American-made microchips, but again, one has to look closely before noticing the conveniently smaller font that says “Biden signed it.” Democrats appear to have taken a masterclass in the art of redistributing credit while keeping the hot potato of Biden’s presidency at arm’s length.
The GOP has been quick to counter with ads that remind voters of the potential pitfalls of these legislative achievements, like how the Inflation Reduction Act, despite its name, might have contributed to rising costs. Americans for Prosperity has launched a barrage of ads targeting incumbent Democrats, illustrating the dire consequences of their support for the bill in a way that suggests it might really be better for everyone if they just didn’t talk about it at all. Paying an extra thousand bucks a month for essentials doesn’t quite fit the narrative of success.
And let’s not forget the pearl-clutching over the “Inflation Creation Act,” as former President Trump puts it. With claims of lost manufacturing jobs and billions sent overseas, it’s clear that Democrats are preparing for battle as they attempt to reframe this legislation in a more favorable light while shoving all the blame onto the unspoken specter of Biden. With election day lurking just around the corner, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Democrats who are just trying to spin their way out of a record that is more known for its mishaps than its victories. All the while, the voters are left to navigate the circus that is contemporary American politics, where the main act just might be avoiding the truth.
