PRESIDENT CARTER: We've brought down inflation. Earlier this year, the first quarter, we did have a very severe inflation pressu
re, brought about by the OPEC price increase. It averaged about 18 percent the first quarter of this year. The second quarter, we had dropped it down to about 13 percent. The most recent figures, the last 3 months, or the third quarter of this year, the inflation rate is 7 percent – still too high, but it illustrates very vividly that in addition to providing an enormous number of jobs – 9 million new jobs in the last 3 1/2 years – that the inflationary threat is still urgent on us . . . . So, our proposals are very sound and very carefully considered to stimulate jobs, to improve the industrial complex of this country, to create tools for American workers, and at the same time would be anti-inflationary in nature. So, to add 9 million new jobs, to control inflation, and to plan for the future with the energy policy now intact as a foundation is our plan for the years ahead. Which claim does President Carter make in this excerpt from the debate? The only way to lower inflation is to create a new energy policy. His new economic policy will help fix the OPEC price increase. Rising oil prices are not to blame for the increase in inflation. His polices have already reduced inflation by more than 10 percent.
