Former GOP Rep. Will Hurd may not be a fan of former President Donald Trump or of culture warring, but unlike most Republicans who appear on MSNBC, he is still says Republican things. That earned him the ire of The 11th Hour host Stephanie Ruhle on Wednesday who angirly told him that he was being “factually incorrect” to urge Republicans to run on issues like fixing inflation, igniting a tense back and forth between the two.
Hurd was on to discuss former Vice President Mike Pence launching his presidential campaign and after claiming Pence is a long shot, urged Republicans focus on non-Trump, non-culture related issues:
Republican voters should be thinking about is if we want to take on Joe Biden and beat him, if we want to do things like secure border, bring back -- bend back inflation, address the debt, then we have to win elections, and that means you got to put somebody up in November who can appeal to independents, and to conservative Democrats, and take advantage of the reality that President Biden's job numbers are so low and that’s the question—
Ruhle then interrupted for the first of what would be many times, “Hold on, hold on, what did you say about inflation? I couldn’t hear you. You said address the border, you said they should do something about inflation?”
After Hurd repeated himself on reducing inflation, Ruhle claimed “It has been. It has been.”
Hurd made the rather obvious point that it is still not where it needs to be, but Ruhle told him to “hold on please,” but Hurd continued as Ruhle tried to talk over him, “to where it was and where folks would like it, right?”
An agitated Ruhle then accused him of being anti-factual, “Fine! It might not be where folks would like it, but we want to operate in truth here and especially as it relates to the economy.”
Hurd tried to defend himself, but Ruhle wouldn’t let him, “Hold on. It is factually incorrect to say bend backwards in terms of inflation. Because while people might not feel ideal, inflation was running hot last year and it has moved down significantly. So, let's just operate in facts, because if we don't.”
Finally allowed to speak again, Hurd wondered, “are you implying inflation is good right now? That you, you want to keep inflation where it is today, you would like to see that continue for the next four years? Is that what you’re implying?”
Ruhle angrily objected, “I didn’t say that. Sir -- I didn't say that. But what you said to me, a moment ago, would be to bend back. To bend it back means to reverse. It is really important that we are operating in truths, and we are going to continue to do that.”
Far from being anti-fact, Hurd agreed and wondered what Ruhle’s problem was, “Sure, reduce-- reduce it from where it is today.”
No wonder why Biden chose Ruhle for his latest sit down interview.
This segment was sponsored by 4imprint.
Here is a transcript for the June 7 show:
MSNBC The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle
6/7/2023
11:38 PM ET
WILL HURD: And look, Vice President Pence has a narrow margin, but what all of Republican voters should be thinking about is if we want to take on Joe Biden and beat him, if we want to do things like secure border, bring back -- bend back inflation, address the debt, then we have to win elections, and that means you got to put somebody up in November who can appeal to independents, and to conservative Democrats, and take advantage of the reality that President Biden's job numbers are so low and that’s the question—
RUHLE: Hold on, hold on, what did you say about inflation? I couldn’t hear you. You said address the border, you said they should do something about inflation?
HURD: Yeah, bend it back, bend the curve back on inflation, reduce inflation—
RUHLE: It has been. It has been—
HURD: But it’s not getting back—
RUHLE: Maybe that is one of the reasons-- the hold on please. Hold on please.
HURD: -- to where it was and where folks would like it, right?
RUHLE: Fine! It might not be where folks would like it, but we want to operate in truth here and especially as it relates to the economy –
HURD: Sure, of course., but I'm-- it's —
RUHLE: Hold on. It is factually incorrect to say bend backwards in terms of inflation. Because while people might not feel ideal, inflation was running hot last year and it has moved down significantly.
HURD: Sure.
RUHLE: So, let's just operate in facts, because if we don't –
HURD: So, Stephanie, are you implying inflation is good right now? That you, you want to keep inflation where it is today, you would like to see that continue for the next four years? Is that what you’re implying?
RUHLE: I didn’t say that. Sir -- I didn't say that. But what you said to me, a moment ago, would be to bend back. To bend it back means to reverse--
HURD: Sure, reduce-- reduce it from where it is today.
RUHLE: -- It is really important that we are operating in truths, and we are going to continue to do that.
