Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

October 15, 2022

The President. It's the last stop on the way to the airport.

The President's Travel to Oregon

Q. How do you feel about the trip?

The President. I feel good. Feel good.

Oregon Gubernatorial Election

Q. How are you feeling about Democrats' chances here?

The President. I think she's going to win. I really do. I think people are going to show up and vote. I think it's going to work.

Oregon Gubernatorial Election

Q. Are you nervous about the third-party candidate?

The President. Well, if you take itâif she takes it seriously. But you know. Who gets nervous, right?

Select Committee To Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol

Q. You were talking about President Trump's impact on local races. What did you think about the January 6 hearings this week?

The President. I think the testimony in the video are actually devastating. And I've been going out of my way not to comment and see what happens. But it'sâI think it's been devastating.

I mean, the case has been made, it seems to me, fairly overwhelming. But any more I say about it, you justifiably are going to ask me if I'm trying to influence the Attorney General. I'm not. I've not spoken with him at all. But it wasâam I goingâdo you guys want anything?

[*At this point, the President paused to speak with photographers positioned behind the counter. He then resumed answering questions as follows.*]

Situation in Iran

Q. Mr. President, there's a terrible fire happening at Evin Prison in Iran, the prison where political prisoners are held.

The President. The Iranian Government is so oppressive, you can't have anything but an enormous amount of respect for those people marching in the streets. I mean, I have to admit, I was surprisedânot by the response; I was surprised by the courage of people and women taking the streetâtaking off their head scarf. I mean, it's really been amazing. It's really been amazing. But they'reâthey're notâthey're not a good group, in the Government.

Oregon Gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek. Did he have a chance to order? Mr. President, do you want toââ

The President. I already ordered.

Ms. Kotek. Whatâyou already ordered?

[*Ms. Kotek spoke briefly with an employee at the counter. The President then resumed answering questions as follows.*]

United Kingdom

Q. Mr. President, you were talking about being a "bubble-up" person on the economy and not a trickle-down. What's your take on what's going on in the U.K. and Prime Minister Truss's trickle-down plan that she's had to back away from?

The President. Well, it's predictable. I mean, I wasn't the only one that thought it was a mistake. Andââ

Q. Her plan?

The President. Yes.

But look, sheâexcuse me.

[*The President paused to pay the cashier. He resumed answering the reporter's question as follows.*]

But I think that the idea of cutting taxes on the superwealthy at a time whenâanyway, I just thinkâI disagree with the policy, but that's up to Great Britain to make that judgment, not me.

U.S. Dollar/Global Economy

Q. And are you concerned aboutâjust one more economic one. Are you concerned about the strength of the dollar right now?

The President. I'm not concerned about the strength of the dollar. I'm concerned about the rest of the world. Does that make sense?

Q. Can you explain that?

The President. Yes. Our economy is strong as hell, in the internals of it. Inflation is worldwide. It's worse off everywhere else than it is in the United States.

So the problem is the lack of economic growth and sound policy in other countries, not so much ours. And that's havingâit's worldwide inflation, and it's consequential.

Q. You're giving a speechââ [The President greeted customers.]

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:26 p.m. at a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop. A reporter referred to Oregon Independent gubernatorial candidate former State Sen. Betsy Johnson.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Portland, OR. Locations: Portland, OR.

Names: Garland, Merrick B.; Kotek, Tina; Truss, M. Elizabeth.

Subjects: Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Congress : House of Representatives :: Select Committee To Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol; Economy, national : Inflation; Economy, national : Strengthening efforts; Iran : Human rights issues; Justice, Department of : Attorney General; Oregon : 2022 gubernatorial election; Oregon : President's visits; United Kingdom : Prime Minister.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200931.