The selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services became a flashpoint between two Republican guests on CNN Thursday night, provoking one to reveal his true feelings about the pick still sending shockwaves through Capitol Hill. (Screengrab via CNN)
The selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services became a flashpoint between two Republican guests on CNN Thursday night, provoking one to reveal his true feelings about the pick still sending shockwaves through Capitol Hill.
The moment came on CNN’s “NewsNight” after Georgia's former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a longtime Republican, ran through his rationale on why he believes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has no business becoming the country’s next HHS secretary.
“There's really no good reason why Bobby Kennedy, RFK Jr., should be the HHS secretary,” Duncan said. “An advisor, a confidant, somebody who talks to the president and advises, but there's no managerial experience in his resume. There’s nothing that says he is qualified to do this job, this job that is in charge of the health of all of us.”
Duncan added that the Trump loyalist and staunch anti-vaxxer's views around food sources and vaccines “should be given in advisory roles.”
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That’s when longtime Republican Party consultant Scott Jennings jumped in and defiantly asked: “Why?”
“What were the qualifications of the previous ones? What were the management qualifications?” Jennings, a CNN regular, asked Duncan. Jennings then listed previous HHS secretaries and their prior positions.
“RFK Jr. is a nut!” Duncan replied.
While it roused some laughter on the CNN set, Duncan’s blunt assessment didn’t sit well with Jennings.
“Ok, so that's different than what you just said, you just said he doesn't possess the requisite managerial experience, but then we get to the real issue here, which is you want to insult the man, which is your right to do because you opposed him in the election,” Jennings said.
Jennings concluded the exchange by saying that he doesn't know if RFK Jr. can pass a Senate confirmation but the "vaccine stuff" will be "the flashpoint" of the confirmation hearing.
Watch the clip below or at this link.