More abortions: Stacey Abrams' recipe to lower inflation
"Let's be clear. Having children is why you worry about the price of gas. That's why you worry about how much food costs," said Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial candidate.
Georgia Democratic nominee for governor Stacey Abrams said in an interview on MSNBC that "having children" is the reason citizens are worried about the price of gas and groceries, suggesting abortions could be a solution to high inflation:
Abrams' controversial comment came after host Mike Barnicle asked her how she would alleviate Georgia voters' concerns about inflation, noting that abortion "nowhere reaches the level interest of voters" like the rising cost of living:
Major concern in Georgia: inflation
Sixty-nine percent of Georgia voters rated cost of living and the economy as the most important issues in this year's elections, according to a poll conducted by The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Abrams joins the list of Democratic candidates attempting to divert voters' attention from inflation to abortion by using the repeal of Roe v. Wade to garner votes.
During her campaign, the candidate attacked the 'heartbeat' bill passed in Georgia that bans abortions once a heartbeat is detected (usually around six weeks). Last month, the Democrat claimed that a heartbeat heard at six weeks is "It is a manufactured sound designed to convince people that men have the right to take control of a woman's body."
According to the polling average, estimated by RealClearPolitics, Abrams trails Republican Governor Brian Kemp by 5.6 points in the race for the upcoming midterm elections.
The White House: No comment
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned about Abrams' comment. Fox News reporter Peter Doocy noted that President Joe Biden has long endorsed Abrams and asked if he agreed with the candidate's views on how abortion restrictions are related to inflation.
Jean-Pierre evaded questions and refused to answer. She further stated that she had not heard of the viral incident.
"In Georgia, the president's endorsed candidate for governor, Stacey Abrams, is suggesting that one way to mitigate the effects of inflation is to get an abortion," Doocy said to the press secretary. "Does President Biden agree?"
"Uh, I did not see her comments on this, so I don't know the context of this. Again, I want to be careful. This is a political debate, and it is related to a midterm, an election… I'm not going to comment on that," Jean-Pierre responded.
Criticism of comments
Abrams' interview has been criticized from Republican ranks. Senator Ted Cruz said on Twitter the candidate's comments were "despicable."
Republican National Committee political director Elliot Echols also commented on the situation on Twitter: