Gas Lines, Inflation Spur GOP's Biden-as-Carter Messaging

Growing inflation concerns, violence in the Middle East and gas stations sans gas: Republicans love the script the news cycle just handed them because it feels like an easy, low-budget summer reboot.

"We're going to get through this as we always do: as Americans, and we're going to do it together," Biden promised Thursday at the White House, "And it's going to be quick." Though a gallon of gas is going for more than $3 nationally, he said the shortages caused by the hack of the 5,500-mile Colonial Pipeline would be temporary.

His message to consumers, some of whom started hoarding gasoline in everything from jerrycans to Tupperware over the weekend, was simple: "Don't panic." Fuel was flowing again by the time Biden spoke, and he said his administration expects "The situation to begin to improve by the weekend and into early next week." His message to gas station owners? "Do not - I repeat, do not - try to take advantage of consumers" by price gouging.

Asked about the company's decision to pay a $5 million ransom to the group DarkSide, Biden replied, "I have no comment on that."

"Joe Biden is the new Jimmy Carter," Republican Rep. Jim Jordan tweeted Tuesday morning, then added Thursday that "In four months, we've gone from energy independence to lines to get gas."

"Jimmy mishandled crisis after crisis, but Biden has created crisis after crisis."

"We're in a full-out, Jimmy Carter gas shortage because of one pipeline," Knudsen said.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2021/05/14/gas_lines_inflation_spur_gops_biden-as-carter_messaging_145766.html