Of all the political and economic analysts CNN could've talked to, it was a random, shirtless guy at a MAGA boat parade with a beer that best explained why inflation is the top issue in the election. Despite the fact that he owned a boat, Joe Harner explained to Elle Reeve on Wednesday's Anderson Cooper 360 that inflation impacts everyone, including people with less money than him.
Off camera, an unnamed producer asked, “What's your most important issue?”
Harner explained, “The economy, getting the interest rates down, getting it where we can afford to live in America. Right now, it's too expensive.”
Reeve didn’t get it, “Okay, now, let me maybe ask, like, a slightly impolite question. But, you know, if you can afford a boat, you're not hurting so bad, right? Because a boat costs a lot of money and it is a lot of upkeep.”
Harner replied, “Listen, nobody gave me shit. I earned everything that I've got. I'm retired military... I am successful and retired and with boats, jet skis because I did it right. And everybody has that chance. Whether they choose or not, that's up to them.”
A confused Reeve tried again, “I would never try to take anything away from you in that way. But what I'm asking is, groceries are probably a smaller part of your budget than say, you know, someone who is, like, a little worse off. I think it's interesting that people who are a little bit more comfortable are still so concerned about the economy. Do you see what I'm saying?”
Harner then informed Reeve that there are other people in the country who might not be as well off who are struggling, “Because I want my money to go further. I want inflation to go down. I want interest rates to go back down. I want all that. But that covers everybody in the economy, not just me, not just the poor, not just the rich. It covers everybody.”
Reeve has a history of asking bad questions during these types of reports. She once asked a college Republican if debating transgenderism was akin to debating murder while somebody tried to stop such a conversation by detonating an incendiary device nearby. However, when it comes to the eliminationist rhetoric of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” she discovered a newfound respect for journalistic neutrality.
Here is a transcript for the September 18 show:
CNN Anderson Cooper 360
9/18/2024
8:54 PM ET
UNNAMED PRODUCER: What's your most important issue?
JOE HARNER: The economy, getting the interest rates down, getting it where we can afford to live in America. Right now, it's too expensive.
ELLE REEVE: Okay, now, let me maybe ask, like, a slightly impolite question. But, you know, if you can afford a boat, you're not hurting so bad, right? Because a boat costs a lot of money and it is a lot of upkeep.
HARNER: Listen, nobody gave me shit. I earned everything that I've got. I'm retired military, retired power plant (ph), and I am successful and retired and with boats, jet skis because I did it right. And everybody has that chance. Whether they choose or not, that's up to them.
REEVE: I would never try to take anything away from you in that way. But what I'm asking is, groceries are probably a smaller part of your budget than say, you know, someone who is, like, a little worse off. I think it's interesting that people who are a little bit more comfortable are still so concerned about the economy. Do you see what I'm saying?
HARNER: Because I want my money to go further. I want inflation to go down. I want interest rates to go back down. I want all that. But that covers everybody in the economy, not just me, not just the poor, not just the rich. It covers everybody.
REEVE: Now, something I've heard from some people, tell me if this applies to you, is like they are worried their kids aren't able to afford a house or a car.
HARNER: Well, I trained my kids and taught my kids properly. They have great educations and they're both successful in their careers. Actually, they're doing better than me.
REEVE: Another woman told us that she had a good retirement, but she is worried about others who are having a hard time with higher prices.
