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First lady’s PSA claiming Biden ‘working around the clock’ on baby formula crisis doesn’t go over so well

May 18, 2022 | | Print Article

First lady Jill Biden was joined by Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in a public service announcement about the nationwide baby formula shortage — a sure-fire sign that the Biden administration is getting pounded in the polls on the issue.

A furrow-browed Mrs. Biden summoned her best concerned look to assure moms across America stressing over being able to feed their babies that her husband, President Joe Biden, is “working around the clock” to help them — suffice it to say, the suggestion wasn’t well received.

“Becoming a mom or dad means falling in love deeper than you ever thought possible and in those first few months of sleepless nights, of endless diapers and dirty dishes…and worrying about every little danger, your love can feel like the only thing that keeps you going,” the first lady said in the PSA.

“I want you to know that you’re doing an incredible job — even if you don’t always feel that way. And I know you are worried about how you are going to feed your baby. The president sees you, he hears you, and his team is working around the clock to get you what you need,” she added.

As for more immediate advice on dealing with hungry babies, Mrs. Biden concluded the PSA by suggesting parents call their doctors.

“I know that you have questions. Any parent would. So, call your pediatrician. They can provide you the best, most updated advice,” she said, before offering a word of assurance, “Most of all, know that we’re here for you and you’re not alone.”

Abbott Nutrition, the nation’s largest manufacturer of baby formula and maker of Similac, shut down its Michigan facility in February following a recall of powdered formulas. The move came after the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a warning to parents.

Three months later, the plant remains closed, but FDA Commissioner Robert Califf reassured Americans that it surely won’t last until the end of the year.

In an interview with NBC’s “Today” show, Califf said he feels “very comfortable” the plant should reopen in two weeks.

“We’ve been working closely with Abbott,” he said of the plant closing, later adding, “We don’t expect that to last to the end of the year, by any means.”

As noted above, the PSA didn’t go over too well in flyover country… here’s a quick sampling of responses from Twitter:

https://twitter.com/TTLBoats/status/1526705366456848385?s=20&t=G3u56Qluuu0es05VsyF3rg

Tom Tillison
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