Salem Radio Network host Scott Jennings sparked a fiery clash on CNN on Wednesday night after accusing Democrats of effectively treating black voters as too dumb to comply with basic voter identification requirements.
The confrontation unfolded after the House of Representatives narrowly approved the SAVE America Act in a 216-213 vote, a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register and a photo ID to cast a ballot, according to the Daily Caller. Democratic strategist Alencia Johnson immediately framed the legislation as part of what she called a broader pattern of racism by President Donald Trump, prompting Jennings to demand specifics on how the measure would actually deprive any American citizen of the right to vote.
Wait. What voting rights is he taking away from black voters? Jennings asked, drawing an instant reaction from both Johnson and New York Times columnist Charles Blow.
The SAVE Act? Blow interjected incredulously, as Johnson quickly followed with her own denunciation of the bill. Oh, we look at The Save Act, thats exactly what were talking about. That is actually going to continue to disenfranchise overwhelmingly a lot of people of color, she insisted, echoing a familiar progressive narrative that equates election security measures with voter suppression. Jennings, however, repeatedly pressed Johnson to explain precisely how requiring proof of citizenship and an ID would strip lawful voters of their rights, a question she struggled to answer directly.
Under mounting pressure, Johnson eventually claimed that voter ID requirements amounted to a modern-day poll tax, invoking the 24th Amendment, which outlawed such taxes in 1964. Jennings countered by citing broad public backing for voter ID, including among minority communities that Democrats often claim to defend. Does it does it concern you that youre making all these claims, youve yet to lay out how its hurting anyone, but 76% of black voters think we should show an ID to vote, 80% of Hispanic voters, 83% of the American people? he asked. Are you saying that black voters are too dumb to know whats good for them? I mean, it sounds pretty condescending.
As the exchange grew more heated, CNN NewsNight host Abby Phillip intervened to shift the focus from voter ID alone to the broader provisions of the bill. Just to be clear, the Save Act is not just about IDs. The Save Act is about proof of citizenship. So, it doesnt I actually we talked about this I was about to say, we talked about this before. Its not it actually theres an argument to be made that red state voters, women, poor white voters could be Phillip began, before Jennings cut in with a pointed rejoinder. You think theyre dumb, too, dont you? I mean, thats the thing. I hear these arguments he replied, underscoring his broader contention that Democrats portray ordinary Americans as incapable of handling routine documentation.
Jennings argument was bolstered by CNNs own data earlier this month, when network analyst Harry Enten reported that at least 70% of black voters and Democrats support voter ID requirements. That statistic undercuts the lefts narrative that such measures are inherently racist, yet Johnson again reverted to racial accusations rather than addressing the numbers. Theres a deflection from talking about Donald Trumps racism right there, she claimed, attempting to steer the conversation back to the President. Jennings brushed off the charge and turned again to Phillip, saying, Yeah, I think theyre smart enough to figure out how to register to vote, Abby.
Phillip then argued that the practical burdens of documentation fall disproportionately on ordinary Americans, particularly women and lower-income voters. Hold on, hold on. Most Americans dont have a passport. Many Americans dont have access to their birth certificate, she said. Many women, a majority of women who change their names for marriage have to provide additional proof that theyve changed their names in order to register to vote. Her comments reflected a common progressive claim that any additional paperwork is tantamount to disenfranchisement, rather than a basic safeguard of election integrity.
Jennings refused to concede that point, instead questioning the underlying assumption that these groups are incapable of navigating standard bureaucratic processes. He noted that Democrats had been making similar arguments throughout the week, casting voters as helpless in the face of routine requirements that are already necessary for countless everyday activities. Listen, this all week long, all week long, I have heard Democrats with the same argument, he said, before Phillip pushed back. So, Scott, why dont you actually respond to the substance of what Im saying, as opposed to making this about something that its not? Its not just about voter ID. Its also about who has access to she replied, again suggesting that access, not intelligence, was at issue.
Jennings, however, drew the logical conclusion from the rhetoric being used against the SAVE America Act and similar reforms. Youre saying married women, black voters and rural people are too stupid to figure out how to register to vote? he shot back, pressing the moral and political implications of the lefts position. Are you saying they cant figure out how to vote? he added, framing the debate as one between those who trust citizens to manage their own affairs and those who insist that basic election safeguards are beyond the capacity of the very voters they claim to champion.
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