On Wednesday’s “The Alex Marlow Show,” Rep. Jeff Van Drew pushed back on Washington’s handling of inflation and highlighted how talking about the cost of living matters politically and practically. He pointed to moves in New Jersey and called out what voters feel at the grocery store and the pump. This piece breaks down his point and what it means in plain terms for everyday people.
Van Drew picked a familiar stage to make a simple argument: inflation is real and it hits families hard. He used clear examples of rising grocery and energy bills to connect with listeners. That direct, no-nonsense tone is what resonates when people are worried about stretching paychecks.
Part of his message leaned on political contrast. He noted that in New Jersey, Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) “talked about cost of living issues. Smart of her campaign. We needed to do that a
That clipped quote landed because it shows even opponents feel the pressure to address basic economic pain. For Republicans, that’s a chance to push policy solutions rather than slogans. Van Drew framed it as a responsibility for leaders to respond to what voters are actually experiencing this year.
Rather than blaming a single cause, Van Drew highlighted how policy decisions stack up to create persistent price pressure. He talked about spending, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory costs as pieces of the same problem. The point was that tackling inflation takes choices, and those choices reflect values about economic freedom and responsibility.
He also tied the macro to the personal. People feel inflation in small ways that add up: fewer family outings, skipped upgrades, delayed car repairs. By keeping his focus on those everyday realities, Van Drew aimed to make the issue less theoretical and more urgent for voters and policymakers alike.
Politically, the strategy is plain: acknowledge the pain, offer real fixes, and hold others accountable for not doing enough. Van Drew’s remarks suggested Republicans should press for tax relief, deregulation where it helps costs, and focused fiscal discipline. That’s a roadmap meant to win trust by delivering relief instead of slogans.
On messaging, he argued that owning the issue beats pretending it does not exist. When politicians ignore price spikes, voters notice. Van Drew used straight talk to argue that credibility comes from admitting problems and showing how to fix them.
Republicans can also push for targeted measures that protect the most vulnerable while encouraging economic growth. Policies that increase supply, cut unnecessary red tape, and keep markets competitive matter when families need lower prices. Van Drew painted those moves as pragmatic and rooted in deploying government where it helps without crowding out private initiative.
Beyond policy, there’s a communications test: explain trade-offs honestly and avoid blaming vague forces. Van Drew modeled that by connecting the dots between federal choices and local pocketbook pain. His appearance was a reminder that voters reward candor and practical plans.
Finally, the broader takeaway is political readiness. Taking inflation seriously is both responsible governance and smart campaigning. Van Drew’s approach showed how a lawmaker can use real examples and clear proposals to turn economic frustration into a case for change and accountability.
