If you were naïve enough to convince yourself that the Biden White House understands the political peril rising inflation rates represent to Democratic prospects in November, the administration wants to disabuse you of that notion.

The Biden administration is pivoting. No longer will it treat rising consumer prices as an urgent matter of utmost concern to most American voters. Instead, it’s going to handle the issue as it would any other political football. Rather than focus on Biden’s own modest efforts to provide relief to Americans who have seen their basic costs of living skyrocket over the last year, the administration will now try to convince you that Republicans don’t know what to do about it either.