Republican gets more than he bargained for from angry callers on C-SPAN
Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) had to directly answer frustrated voters during a live C-SPAN broadcast on Friday.
A caller named Roger, an independent voter from Lawrenceville, Georgia, pressed the Republican lawmaker to explain why Republicans were continuing to repeat President Donald Trump's continued messages, including Trump's comments around inflation and gas prices.
"Why do you guys continue to parrot Trump's crazy Fox News talking points when I know you have to know right from wrong," he said.
Anchor Greta Brawner asked the caller to be more specific when he started sharing his concerns about what Trump says to the public.
"For example, the 9 percent inflation under Biden — you know that was COVID, like, come on. Gas prices, presidents don't affect gas prices unless they're stupid enough to start a war in the Middle East. Trump, Biden, neither one of them controlled it. It had to do with starting wars and that's why we're dealing with these gas prices. And you know your own intelligence said there was no way they were close to a nuclear weapon, and yet you come on TV and you say the same thing. And you guys only find a spine when you say you're going to retire, come on. I know you have to know better."
Haridopolos responded to the voter's comments.
"Well, it's always nice to have strong opinions. They might not be backed up with fact, but it's nice he has some strong opinions," Haridopolos said.
"We really believe that a nuclear Iran is a true threat, they obviously were trying to upgrade their uranium to create a weapon and they've been lying for years now as we've found out that they had the ability to fire missiles over 2,000 miles away. I consider that a major threat. It's a short-term challenge but it will be a long-term success for America and the world if we take these folks out of the ability to project power."
Another caller named D in New York asked the lawmaker to address the president's trip to China and how Trump had promised to improve the economy, but now how the voter is paying more than $5 a gallon for gas. He also shared a personal experience after a visit to Europe and expressed his doubts about America's standing in the international community.
"When the president came into office, Americans were respected around the world," he said. "I just came from Europe. In Europe, we are disrespected. A guy spat in my face in Luxembourg because of our actions around the world. America is no longer respected."
"Why is the president building a golden statue of himself and acting like he's Jesus Christ on the world stage, putting up portraits, asking as if he's Christ? This is blasphemy."
Haridopolos claimed that investments were growing in the U.S. and admitted to the rising gas prices troubling Americans.
"So yes, we are going through a tough time on gas prices. I'll readily admit that. But in the long-term, what are we doing? We're offsetting some of that with the new oil production that's going to come out of Venezuela and the increased oil production that's coming out of the United States today."