Harris: “Voters Got What They Ordered”; Economists Say Biden “Wrong” to Blame Inflation on Russia; Administration Begging Venezuela and Iran for Oil

On 3/13/2022, VP Harris told a Democratic audience that “voters got what they ordered” and “they got what they asked for” — a message that did not land well as gas hit $4 per gallon for the first time since 2008 and inflation reached 7.9%. Economists called Biden “wrong” to blame the February inflation number on Russia, noting prices had been rising since he took office. The administration was simultaneously begging Venezuela and Iran for oil while refusing to expand domestic production. Pelosi delivered a lavish introduction of Biden while Harris again failed to answer a gas price question, pivoting to “the Black Sea."

"They Got What They Ordered”

Harris delivered a line that would haunt the administration. “Elections matter. And when folks vote, they order what they want. And in this case, they got what they asked for,” Harris said. “I went off script a little bit.”

The comment — intended to celebrate Democratic governance — read as tone-deaf given that what voters were experiencing was record gas prices, 40-year-high inflation, and a border crisis.

”Wrong” to Blame Russia

An economist directly contradicted Biden’s messaging. “The president was wrong to blame this month’s number on Ukraine. Everybody had been expecting from the time before Putin launched the invasion that inflation was going to accelerate from January to February,” the economist said. “This is a consequence fundamentally of an overheated economy.”

A chart of inflation showed it “really started to rise almost exactly when Biden came in the White House.” A commentator noted: “For the president to try to pretend like prices weren’t already rising — man, I don’t think people are — can’t help that dumb. I mean, we remember the inflation was going on long before this happened.”

“It’s absolutely true this is making it worse, but to sort of whitewash what happened all of last year, I don’t think it’s going to work for them politically,” the commentator added.

Begging Adversaries for Oil

A reporter cut through the administration’s “working with allies and partners” language. “What allies and partners? Venezuela, Iran — are these the people we’re begging?” the reporter asked. “This is a major issue that he’s having to communicate with these regimes that we say are bad places, and now we’re begging them for oil. I think the American people have noticed this.”

The irony was stark: the administration that had killed the Keystone Pipeline, halted federal leasing, and vowed to eliminate fossil fuels was now courting dictators in Caracas and Tehran for the energy it refused to produce domestically.

$1.2 Million a Minute in Debt Service

A commentator delivered devastating fiscal numbers. “7.9% inflation, and the week that is announced, Congress passes another $1.5 trillion tranche of spending,” the commentator said. “In the first five months of this fiscal year — during which inflation lowered Americans’ real wages in nine of 12 months — we’re now adding to the deficit.”

“$3 billion a year and debt service now consumes $1.2 million a minute. It’s $20,000 per second if you want to do the arithmetic. So stop. Quit adding fuel to the fire,” the commentator said.

Pelosi’s “Legendary Legislator” Introduction

Pelosi delivered an over-the-top introduction of Biden. “She’s a voice for the voiceless. A defender of the disenfranchised. A leader for the least, the lost, and the left behind. A fantastic facilitator. A notorious negotiator and a legendary legislator,” Pelosi said — though it was unclear whether she was describing Biden or herself.

Harris Pivots to the Black Sea — Again

Harris was asked again how long Americans should brace for “historic inflation and unprecedented gas prices.” For the second time in a week, she did not answer the question.

“In terms of the discussions that the President Iohannis and I had, they ranged in subject, including the issue of the Black Sea,” Harris said. “We are fully aware and apprised because we are in constant communication. All you have to do is look at the map.”

Hillary: “Open to Running Again”

Asked whether she was “open to running for president again,” Hillary Clinton deflected but did not close the door. “Oh, come on. Just one runway. No, but I am certainly going to be active in supporting economic opportunity and climate change,” Clinton said.

Key Takeaways

Harris said voters “got what they ordered” and “got what they asked for” — a line that read as tone-deaf amid record gas prices and 40-year-high inflation.
Economists called Biden “wrong” to blame February’s 7.9% inflation on Russia, noting prices had been rising since he took office and were widely expected to accelerate before the invasion.
The administration was begging Venezuela and Iran for oil while refusing to expand domestic production — prompting a reporter to ask: “Are these the people we’re begging?”
Debt service consumed $1.2 million per minute and $20,000 per second as Congress passed another $1.5 trillion in spending during 7.9% inflation.
Harris again failed to answer a gas price question, pivoting to “the Black Sea” for the second time in a week.

Transcript Highlights

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

Elections matter. When folks vote, they order what they want. In this case, they got what they asked for. I went off script a little bit.
The president was wrong to blame this month’s number on Ukraine. This is a consequence of an overheated economy.
What allies and partners? Venezuela, Iran — are these the people we’re begging?
Debt service now consumes $1.2 million a minute. $20,000 per second. Quit adding fuel to the fire.
How long should we be bracing for historic inflation? The discussions ranged in subject, including the issue of the Black Sea.
I’m sick of this stuff! The American people think the reason for inflation is government spending more money. Simply not true!

Full transcript: 932 words transcribed via Whisper AI.