Biden tests new inflation message: Empathy plus even more spending

President Joe Biden wants the public to know that he understands what it is like to face financial pressures as people feel the pinch of record inflation before this fall's midterm election cycle.

Biden conveying empathy as well as repurposed spending proposals have become central pillars of his plan to contain inflation. But critics contend that the president's ability to connect with voters will not be enough to boost his poor polling and his party's prospects before November.

Biden touted record employment numbers and higher wages during his State of the Union speech but described "getting prices under control" as his "top priority" of 2022.

"Too many families are struggling to keep up with their bills," he told roughly 38 million people, according to TV ratings. "Inflation is robbing them of gains they thought otherwise they would be able to feel. I get it."

The White House was quick to correct reporters earlier this week who believed Biden would avoid using the word "inflation" after officials relied on the phrase "price increases" during a background briefing call.

"How people experience it is what it means for their pocketbooks, for their budgets, for their bank accounts, and how they're paying for things," press secretary Jen Psaki said. "That's why a lot of what you're going to hear about ... is how he's going to reduce costs."