Fox News’ Sandra Smith Warns Republicans They’re Letting Democrats ‘Own’ Affordability Debate

Fox News host Sandra Smith issued a “wake-up call” to Republicans Tuesday, warning that the party is allowing Democrats to take control of the affordability debate ahead of the midterm elections.

During a discussion on “The Five,” Smith argued Republicans need to more aggressively address the financial pressures facing Americans rather than allowing Democrats, including candidates on the party’s progressive wing, to dominate the issue.

The conversation centered on Wisconsin gubernatorial hopeful Francesca Hong and her failure to secure endorsements from prominent progressives Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

“It’s special that Bernie Sanders and AOC can’t warm up to Hong, but I think there’s a wakeup call here,” Smith said. “How in the world are Republicans letting Democrats, far-left, radical socialist Democrats, own the affordability thing?”

Smith then turned to gas prices, pushing back on Democrats blaming President Donald Trump for current economic difficulties.
She said Trump left office after his first term with gas at $2.39 per gallon before former President Joe Biden saw prices climb to a record $5 per gallon.
“Where were these people then?” Smith asked.

Smith said Biden eventually handed Trump gas prices of $3.10 per gallon and that Trump brought them back down to $2.80 during his second term. Prices have since climbed to nearly $4, she noted, as the United States is involved in a war aimed at ensuring Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons.

According to AAA averages, gas prices were below $3 before the United States launched strikes against Iran. The national average has since risen above $4.
Americans have also experienced other higher costs amid the ongoing war. Inflation reached a three-year high of 4.2% in May before declining to 3.5% in June.
Smith argued Republicans cannot simply point to what happened under the previous administration. Instead, she said they must acknowledge current affordability problems and take responsibility for getting prices down before the midterms.

“For Republicans to not own the affordability problem that Americans are suffering right now is a problem,” Smith said.

She also criticized the policies Hong has been pitching to Wisconsin voters, including state-guaranteed paid leave, raising the minimum wage to $20 per hour, imposing a one-year moratorium on new AI data center construction and increasing income taxes on couples making just over $400,000 annually.
Smith questioned what a $20 minimum wage would mean for small businesses and employment.

She warned Republicans that allowing Democrats to continue controlling the affordability message could prove costly politically.

“Republicans beware, don’t let them keep owning this affordability message when the numbers clearly show these prices ran upward at the last administration,” Smith said.

But she emphasized that Republicans now carry the responsibility for delivering results.
“The onus is on Republicans to get them back down come midterm elections,” Smith concluded.