I generally like Senator Chris Coons (D-Del). But he committed political malpractice today in his appearance on Fox News Sunday.
There’s an argument that Democrats and progressives should not even appear on Fox, because to do so lends legitimacy to what is essentially a propaganda outlet. I can see both sides of that argument, but the only justification for a Democrat to go on Fox is that he or she will puncture their talking points and give the progressive side of whatever issue is being discussed. There’s no point to appearing if all you do is buy into Republican talking points and reinforce their narrative. Unfortunately, that’s what Coons did in two crucial instances this morning.
First, regarding the upcoming Trump-Putin summit, moderator Chris Wallace said that Trump has been tougher than Obama on Russia’s annexation of Crimea and continuing attacks on the Ukraine, because Trump put in tougher sanctions than Obama and authorized lethal aid to Ukraine. Coons accepted that bs, saying that he supported Trump providing lethal aid but was concerned because Trump has been making noise about readmitting Russia to the G-7.
WTF! What a missed opportunity! How can any self-respecting Democrat accept the lie that Trump is tough on Russia? What Coons should have said is something along the following lines: “Chris, with all due respect you know that’s nonsense. It’s clear that Trump came into office planning to remove the sanctions on Russia — that’s what Michael Flynn pled guilty to lying about — and was thwarted only by professionals in the State and Defense Department who leaked his plans, which led to political pressure, including from Republicans, that forced him to put his plans on hold until lifting sanctions became politically impossible due to the Mueller probe. And as for strengthening sanctions, that was the result of huge bipartisan majorities in Congress who passed legislation to force stronger sanctions for Russia interfering in the 2016 election, over Trump’s objection. And even then, the Trump administration delayed putting those sanctions in place long past the legal deadline and is still dragging its feet today.”
Then Wallace stated, with respect to Brett Kavanaugh, that Trump was elected as a Republican president, so shouldn’t he be entitled to put in office a conservative judge, “well within the mainstream of Republican thought.” My jaw dropped when I heard Coons’ lame answer — he said that he hasn’t made up his mind because he hasn’t read most of Kavanaugh’s 300 opinions yet. Again, double WTF! This answer is even easier: “Chris, that’s an interesting position. Shouldn’t President Obama, who was elected as a Democratic president, have been entitled to put in office Merrick Garland, a moderate judge who was well within the mainstream of American jurisprudence? Don’t give me any of this phony concern about fair play and elections have consequences after the disgraceful refusal of Mitch McConnell even to give Judge Garland a hearing.” Then drop the mike.
This is a continuing problem I’ve noted time and again about Democratic office-holders: They don’t know how to frame issues, they don’t know how to argue, and they seem to be so scared of offending that elusive persuadable Trump voter that they don’t challenge Republican talking points and framing. I don’t know what the solution is — maybe actually provide training in how to conduct yourself in media interviews? But I do know I’m tearing my hair out at this missed opportunity.