Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain blasted President Biden in leaked audio for not focusing on key issues like inflation and grocery prices.
The audio was recorded at a private event hosted by the publication "Democracy: A Journal of Ideas," at which Klain was a speaker. Klain served as White House chief of staff from Biden's inauguration until early February 2023.
BIDEN-TRUMP SEQUEL UNDERWAY IN HISTORY-MAKING FIRST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION REMATCH SINCE 1956
Klain elaborated on his statement in a subsequent interview with Politico, but he did not walk back on the substance of the criticism.
"The president’s most effective economic message is contrast around whose side are you on, and compassion for the [pinch] of family budgets, and his agenda to bring down costs and raise incomes — and that lauding achievements — especially ones with abstract benefits — is less persuasive with voters," Klain told the outlet.
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates addressed Klain's remarks.
"Like Ron says, President Biden is crisscrossing the country building on his State of the Union message, highlighting that he is fighting to grow the middle class and lower costs like prescription drugs while blocking the trickle-down agenda Republican officials have proposed on behalf of rich special interests, including Medicare cuts and tax giveaways to big corporations," Bates told Politico.
Ron Klain, left, and President Biden have split over how best to convince voters in 2024. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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The $3.3 billion in grants announced at the event covered 132 total projects, including in Atlanta, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, as well as Birmingham, Alabama; Syracuse, New York; and Toledo, Ohio. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that some of the projects are relatively modest and can be completed in "short order," while others are "massive and ambitious undertakings that will take many years."
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bidens-former-chief-staff-gets-heated-leaked-audio-white-house-ignoring-inflation-report