President Biden admitted Wednesday that Democrats need to “produce results” — a stunning confession following Tuesday’s election upsets.
The intense day at the polls saw Democrats lose the gubernatorial race in Virginia — a state Biden won by 10 points in 2020.
Meanwhile, his party only narrowly won in heavily Democratic New Jersey on Wednesday.
Republicans, who are looking to retake the House in 2022, championed their victories this week as the “red wave.”
When pressed about the crushing outcomes, Biden appeared to admit his party had failed to deliver results.
“I think we should produce for the American people,” the president said, pointing to his Build Back Better agenda when asked how Democrats could avoid similar losses next year.
“Look, people — people need a little breathing room. They’re overwhelmed,” he continued.
“And what happened was — I think we have to just produce results for them to change their standard of living and give them a little more breathing room,” Biden said following an address on the coronavirus vaccine for children.
The leading party has been plagued by infighting as it struggles to pass the president’s agenda — particularly a bipartisan infrastructure bill and $1.75 trillion budget reconciliation.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who has been a key party in negotiations over the budget reconciliation, struck a harsher tone than the commander-in-chief Wednesday.
The moderate Democrat told Fox News’ “Special Report” Wednesday that he was concerned about Tuesday’s election results — and it should be a “wake-up call” for his party.
“I just saw it to confirm that we have a divided country … I hope it’s a wake-up call for all of us,” he said. “I’m concerned. I’ve been talking about our debt, I’ve been talking about inflation, [and] I’ve been talking about the [economic] fallout we may have [from the spending bills].”
The West Virginian senator also voiced concern over a “war of words” that has led to further division among both parties.
“We can have a difference of opinion — the rhetoric around here has gotten so harsh and so toxic that you can’t agree to disagree anymore. You can’t sit down and say, ‘OK, I disagree with you,’” Manchin said.
He accused lawmakers of putting party over country.
“What scares the bejesus out of me — I don’t hear people saying, ��This is good for our country.’ It’s more or less on both sides — ‘It’s better for my party, this is better for the 2022 elections.'”
Earlier in the day, Manchin found himself in agreement with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in saying inflation was one reason voters backed the GOP.
“When you look at southwestern Virginia and you saw the returns from southwest [Virginia], that’s my entire state — so these are people I talk to all the time. And I knew what they were concerned about. They’re concerned about inflation, high costs making it more difficult for them,” Manchin said on Capitol Hill.
“I think they spoke loud and clear at the voting booth. And I hope everybody listens.”
On the Senate floor, McConnell called on Democrats to “listen to the voters and drop this reckless taxing and spending spree.”
