CBS Poll: Two-Thirds of Voters Say Biden Not Doing Enough on Inflation — KJP Responds “We Get It, We Understand” Then Moves On

On 10/17/2022, a CBS News reporter confronted White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre with the network’s own polling showing two-thirds of voters believed the Biden administration “is not doing all it can and could be doing more to curb inflation.” The reporter asked directly: “Does the White House think it’s doing all it can to curb inflation?” KJP responded with “we understand” and “we get it” repeated multiple times, cited the Inflation Reduction Act, then cut off the exchange with “I’m going to just keep moving because we don’t have a lot of time” — never actually answering whether the White House believed it could be doing more.

”Two-Thirds of Voters”

The CBS reporter laid out the data plainly. “A CBS News poll that was out yesterday indicated that two-thirds of voters believe that the administration is not doing all it can and could be doing more to curb inflation,” the reporter said. “What does the White House think? Does the White House think it’s doing all it can to curb inflation?”

The two-thirds figure was significant not just for its size but for what it represented politically. A 67% disapproval on inflation meant Biden was losing not only Republican and independent voters on the issue but a meaningful portion of his own Democratic base. When two-thirds of voters agree on anything in a polarized electorate, it represents a near-consensus that transcends partisan affiliation.

The question also carried a subtle challenge. By asking “Does the White House think it’s doing all it can,” the reporter forced KJP to choose between two uncomfortable positions: admitting the White House could be doing more (which would validate the criticism) or insisting they were doing everything possible (which would mean the current results — 8.2% inflation — were the best achievable outcome).

”We Understand” — Repeated Five Times

KJP’s response was built on repetition rather than substance. “What we understand is — you know, we understand that the American people are going through a difficult time,” KJP said. “And we have said that. You’ve heard the President say that. And we understand how it is tough. It is a tough time for them.”

The word “understand” appeared five times in KJP’s response. “We get it” appeared three times. The repetition served as a verbal placeholder — acknowledging the problem without proposing additional solutions or accepting responsibility for causing it.

The technique was a common KJP strategy: empathy substituting for action. By saying “we understand” and “we get it” repeatedly, she attempted to convey that the White House was emotionally attuned to American suffering without committing to any specific policy response that could be evaluated or criticized. Understanding is not a policy. Empathy is not a plan.

The IRA Again

As with nearly every inflation question in the fall of 2022, KJP pointed to the Inflation Reduction Act. “That’s why the Inflation Reduction Act is so critical and key, because it’s going to lower energy costs and it’s going to lower healthcare costs,” KJP said.

The future tense — “going to lower” — was telling. In October 2022, the IRA’s most touted provisions had not yet taken effect. Medicare drug price negotiations wouldn’t begin until 2026. Clean energy tax credits required consumers to make substantial upfront investments in new appliances, vehicles, or home improvements. The ACA subsidy extensions prevented premium increases but didn’t reduce existing costs.

The White House was asking voters to trust that future benefits from legislation they couldn’t yet feel would eventually address the inflation they were feeling right now. It was a promise of deferred relief during a period of acute pain — a politically difficult proposition three weeks before an election.

”A Specific Poll From Your Own Publication”

KJP attempted to dismiss the polling data by noting its source. “I know you’re asking me about a specific poll, a specific number from your own publication,” KJP said. “And we get it. We understand.”

The phrasing “your own publication” was a subtle attempt to frame the poll as a CBS News editorial product rather than an independent measurement of public opinion. But CBS News/YouGov polls were conducted by YouGov, a reputable polling firm, using standard methodology. The two-thirds finding was consistent with virtually every other public poll on the question — ABC/Washington Post, Fox News, Quinnipiac, and others all showed similar or worse numbers for Biden on inflation.

Dismissing unfavorable polls as products of specific media outlets was a technique both parties employed, but it was particularly awkward when the dismissal came in response to a reporter from that same outlet who was sitting in the room.

”You Have Seen the Results”

KJP’s most audacious claim came near the end. “But we’re going to continue to do the work. It’s not going to stop us. And you have seen the results. You have seen the results from this administration,” KJP said.

The statement “you have seen the results” was either unintentionally honest or breathtakingly tone-deaf. The results Americans had seen from the administration on inflation were: prices up 13% cumulatively since Biden took office, real wages declining for 18 months, food prices up 11%, energy costs well above pre-Biden levels, and housing affordability at its worst point in decades.

If KJP meant “you have seen results” in the sense of observable outcomes, she was correct — the results were simply not the ones the administration wanted to claim credit for. If she meant “results” as positive achievements, the CBS poll she was responding to demonstrated that two-thirds of Americans disagreed.

”I’m Going to Just Keep Moving”

KJP terminated the exchange abruptly. “I’m going to just keep moving because we don’t have a lot of time. Go ahead,” KJP said.

The cutoff was itself a form of non-answer. By ending the exchange before the reporter could follow up — asking, for instance, what specific additional steps the White House could take, or whether Biden had considered any policy changes — KJP avoided the scrutiny that would have followed her “we get it” response. Moving on ensured that “we understand” was the final word rather than the opening to a deeper conversation about policy inadequacy.

The Pattern of Non-Response

The exchange exemplified a pattern that defined KJP’s briefing room tenure on economic questions. The structure was consistent across dozens of similar exchanges:

Reporter cites specific data showing economic distress
KJP acknowledges the data with empathy language (“we understand,” “we get it,” “we know”)
KJP cites the Inflation Reduction Act
KJP attacks Republican alternatives
KJP moves on before follow-ups can probe the gap between acknowledgment and action

The formula allowed KJP to appear responsive without being substantive, empathetic without being accountable, and active without identifying specific additional measures the administration would take.

Key Takeaways

CBS polling showed two-thirds of voters believed Biden could be doing more on inflation; KJP responded with “we understand” and “we get it” five times without proposing additional actions.
She cited the Inflation Reduction Act, whose main provisions had not yet taken effect and which independent analysts said would have negligible impact on inflation.
KJP claimed “you have seen the results” — while the visible results were 8.2% inflation and 13% cumulative price increases under Biden.
She cut off the exchange with “I’m going to just keep moving” before the reporter could ask follow-up questions.
The response exemplified the White House pattern of substituting empathy language for substantive policy answers on the economy.

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

Two-thirds of voters believe the administration is not doing all it can and could be doing more to curb inflation.
Does the White House think it’s doing all it can to curb inflation?
We understand that the American people are going through a difficult time. We understand how it is tough.
The Inflation Reduction Act is so critical and key because it’s going to lower energy costs and healthcare costs.
I know you’re asking me about a specific poll, a specific number from your own publication. And we get it.
We’re going to continue to do the work. You have seen the results from this administration.

Full transcript: 175 words transcribed via Whisper AI.