Tom Emmer discusses Democratic candidates and inflation on ABC's 'This Week'

<p>House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., responded to ABC's "This Week" host Jon Karl regarding the presence of communists on the ballot during a discussion on Sunday. Emmer acknowledged that the Republican Party needed to address high gas prices ahead of the midterm elections, stating, "$4 gas, $6 diesel, entirely unacceptable. We Republicans agree on that. But it’s not enough to vote for communists." </p><p>Karl countered, suggesting that most Democrats would not identify as communists, to which Emmer replied, "Well you’re wrong, they are communists." Karl acknowledged the existence of some Democratic socialists on the ballot but attempted to shift the conversation. Emmer insisted that labeling them as progressives was misleading, asserting, "There’s nothing Democratic about socialism. For 100 years, they wanted us to call them progressives, when, in fact, they were socialists. And it wasn’t cool to admit you’re a socialist. They are now communists and Marxists. Take a look at the [Democratic Socialists of America] platform." </p><p>Emmer further criticized proposals from some Democrats, stating, "They want to defund the police. They want to defund prisons. They want government-only health care. And they want the Green New Deal, which will cost every American family another $355,000. That’s what we should be talking about." </p><p>Additionally, Emmer criticized media coverage of inflation and gas prices, claiming that the reporting under President Joe Biden differed from that under former President Donald Trump. He stated, "I hate to point the finger at you and the other journalists, but have you reported that under Joe Biden, the average was over $5 a gallon? Under Donald Trump, he’s pulled it all the way back... Grocery inflation. Under Biden, it was 13-point-something. Under Donald Trump, it’s two percent. It’s 11 points better. But you guys don’t report this stuff." </p><p>Emmer's comments come as numerous Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates are running for office during the midterm elections. He had previously made similar remarks in an interview with Fox News Digital, accusing the far-left wing of the Democratic Party of being "communists, Marxists and anarchists." Emmer specifically criticized Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who has denied being a socialist.</p>