CNN panel goes off the rails after Trump defender brings up abortion to avoid talking about GOP racism similar to Northam

On Friday, an old yearbook surfaced which showed Virginia's Democratic governor, Ralph Northam, and another man wearing blackface and a Ku Klux Klan robe.

CNN host Erin Burnett discussed the development with a panel that included Trump defender Stephen Moore.

Moore attempted to change the subject from Northam's racism to his comments about a controversial abortion bill.

"I live in Virginia. I follow Virginia politics. He was—you want to talk about a politician that had a bad week, you kind of didn't exactly report what happened this week when I think it was quoted as relaxed abortion restrictions," said Moore. "This was a bill that he supported that literally -- almost allows an abortion up until you cut the umbilical cord. He's under assault for that. That was an worse offense than this picture."

The entire panel shook their heads about Moore's comments.

Panelist Keith Boykin stepped up to confront him.

"Steve we're here to talk about the issue of racism," he said. "I know you would like to divert the issue to a conversation more comfortable to you about abortion or something. The reality is contemptible."

"Let's focus on the issue, please," said panelist April Ryan, White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks.

"As I said before, Roy Moore was out there defending slavery and the Confederate flag. You have Ron DeSantis in Florida saying racist things. Democrats have been critical of Republicans for things they have said presently and in the past that have been racist and offensive. I think we have to speak with moral clarity and one voice and say this is wrong. We don't have double standards. I said the same thing we're talking about other issues in the past," said Boykin.

Watch below.