On Thursday, former White House senior adviser David Axelrod found himself surprisingly aligned with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) regarding the recent Democratic wins in elections across the country.
Axelrod shared his thoughts during a conversation on CNN, mentioning, “Well, I’m in this kind of amazing position of being able to say I agree with everything Marjorie Taylor Greene has said.” He added that it was a unique moment, implying he never expected to say such a thing.
According to Axelrod, Greene’s stance reflects a broader issue with upcoming elections, labeling the recent results as a “referendum” on unmet expectations for November 2024. He expressed that the Democrats deserved their victories, emphasizing that dissatisfaction with the economy played a significant role in these outcomes.
He highlighted, “The president was elected in the general election because people are very dissatisfied with the economy,” pointing out that many voters feel that circumstances are not improving.
Axelrod referenced Rep. Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.), who claims things are moving in the right direction. Yet, he noted a poll from The Economist revealing that only 21% of respondents shared that belief, with 54% feeling the opposite.
“There’s a reason why people feel that way. They’re aware of what’s happening at the cash register and when trying to pay bills, they’re not seeing improvement,” Axelrod remarked. He noted that many Americans feel disconnected from President Trump, citing examples of his focus on international issues and trivial matters rather than pressing domestic concerns.
He questioned how those claims of an improving economy resonate with everyday people. “The more they claim things are getting better, the more it starts to sound like it,” Axelrod commented, reflecting on past mistakes made by politicians who tried to portray a reality that didn’t match people’s experiences.
In a twist, Greene has been openly critical of her party in recent weeks, especially regarding House Speaker Mike Johnson’s approach to managing the government shutdown. She expressed frustration during an appearance on NewsNation, chastising Johnson for his leadership, saying he was letting everyone down.
“While the rest of America is going to work every day… Mike Johnson is telling us to stay home and not work,” Greene pointed out, emphasizing her dissatisfaction with the situation.
She had previously criticized Johnson on October 28 for withholding details about the Republican healthcare plan during the shutdown. Mentioning discrepancies in communication, Greene posted on social media, “Looks like I’m going to have to go to SCIF to look into the Republican health care plan!!!”
In response, Johnson acknowledged he was aware of Greene’s critiques and suggested that she could always come talk to him directly, though he seemed to accept her media presence as part of her approach.
