One of the Republican National Committee’s new co-chairs, Michael Whatley, made a statement on Fox News that may not sit well with former President Donald Trump.
During the interview, Whatley attempted to emphasize the GOP’s latest strategy by asking voters if they are better off now than they were four years ago.
However, given that the COVID-19 pandemic dominated 2020, with Trump in office at the time, this talking point might not resonate positively for Republicans.
In a moment of unintended irony, Whatley stated, “At the end of the day, this comes down to a very simple contrast between President Trump and President Biden. Were you better off four years ago than you are today?
The answer for this entire country is no.” Despite his slip-up, Whatley later corrected himself by affirming, “We are better,” and added, “We will be better off under President Trump than we will under President Biden.”
The question, “Are you better off?” has been a staple for Republicans since Ronald Reagan used it during a 1980 presidential debate with Jimmy Carter.
While it was effective in 1980 due to high inflation and gas prices, its relevance today is debatable, especially considering the challenges faced during the pandemic, including 2020 being one of the deadliest years in U.S. history.
Despite its questionable relevance, Republicans continue to use this talking point in the hopes that it will resonate with voters. However, recent attempts by Rep. Elise Stefanik to make a similar point were met with ridicule, indicating that many people remember the challenges of four years ago all too vividly.
Naturally, Whatley’s remarks on Fox News prompted significant social media backlash from individuals who recall the hardships of the past four years.
