In a recent interview with USA Today, 2020 hopeful Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) predicted that the economy will be “an Achilles’ heel” for President Donald Trump in his reelection campaign.
“I know that the president wants a campaign on the economy. But I’m going to campaign on the economy because it’s not working for the vast majority of the people in the country. Seventy-five percent of the people are still living paycheck to paycheck,” Ryan told the publication’s editorial board.
Trump has called the U.S. economy the “envy of the world,” but Ryan disagrees.
“It’s going to be an Achilles’ heel for him, and we’ve got to take advantage of it by nominating somebody who can speak to the working-class people in those areas: white, black, brown, gay, straight, people who, you know, take a shower after work,” Ryan continued.
According to an April article in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ryan himself actually benefited from the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The outlet reports:
Ryan paid his lowest tax rate in 2018, a result of the Republican tax cuts passed in 2017. The congressman voted against the cuts, describing the plan as a “scam.”
He had a federal tax rate in 2018 of around 18.6 percent, the lowest of any of the 10 years Ryan released. He also took advantage of the increased standard deduction of $24,000, which nearly doubled from the previous $12,700 for couples.
Some prominent liberals, such as Bill Maher, have questioned Ryan’s plan to run against the economy, which, according to RNC Regional Communications Director Mandi Merritt, is “booming.”
“While Tim Ryan continues to stick his head in the sand, the results speak for themselves,” she told The Ohio Star. “Taxes are down, wages are up, businesses are hiring, and there are more job openings available than people looking for work. A rising tide lifts all boats – and this economic tide will lead President Trump straight back into the White House in 2020.”
But Ryan doubled down on his claims on Twitter Sunday morning.
“DOW is up and the unemployment rate is down! The economy is booming. For who? There are folks who used to make $30/$40 an hour, now working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. Nearly 50 percent of our kids in public schools are low income. The economy isn’t booming for the American worker,” Ryan wrote on Twitter.
DOW is up & the unemployment rate is down! The economy is BOOMING. For who?
There are folks who used to make $30/$40 an hour, now working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. Nearly 50% of our kids in public schools are low income.
The economy isn't BOOMING for the American worker.
— Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) June 23, 2019
“They’re working longer and harder for less money and fewer benefits. Cost of living increasing, students paying more and more for tuition, health care and prescription drugs are unaffordable, and rents are skyrocketing,” Ryan continued. “We have to end the squeeze on the middle class. We have to eliminate the concentration of wealth. And we have to cut the worker in on the deal.”
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News, The Ohio Star, and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tim Ryan” by Tim Ryan.
