A CNN panel discussion on the dilemma Democrats are facing with the candidacy of Graham Platner, who is running to oppose Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), turned into a shouting match that led to charges that Donald Trump is a racist.
On CNN’s “Table for Five,” host Abby Phillip noted there is a growing debate about “purity tests” within the Democratic Party as more revelations about Platner’s past drop prior to Tuesday’s primary.
That led CNN contributor Cari Champion to point out the bar for what is acceptable has been plunged into “hell” based on Donald Trump's rhetoric and actions, which led to an argument with Trump-defending attorney Arthur Aidala.
“No, the bar is in hell with this current administration,” she began before repeating, "The bar is in hell. We have allowed this president to come in and his blatant corruption, and we see it, not we as in you, but the people have, his loyalists have, the people who are supposed to be a part of his cabinet have. And so the bar is now in hell.”
“And so for Democrats to, to me now, and by the way, I am not excusing this man's behavior in any form or fashion … listen, look where we are, no one's perfect. [Sen. John] Fetterman said this, to your point, said this earlier today: what he was trying, I'm paraphrasing, was like, all politicians have baggage. This just happens to be a candidate that has baggage.”
“He's got an anti-Semitic tattoo on his chest. That should be automatic disqualification!” Aidala exclaimed.
”I'm not excusing this man's behavior,” Champion persisted as the attorney attempted to talk over her. “But what I am telling you is you cannot say that with this president in office.”
“No, no, you can!" Aidala fired back. “You can, you can say that, you can. You have a guy who's wearing a tattoo saying, ‘I hate people of this religion.’ That’s it, you’re done.”
"And I hate black people, [that's what] I feel like this president is saying,” Champion pushed back, which just escalated the arguing.
“He has all the power of the government,” she continued. “He's rolling back, he's rolling back civil rights. I mean I’m not excusing this man. I know, but I'm saying this is why people are okay with that.”
Attempting to calm the waters, host Phillip interjected, “You keep saying you're not excusing him, but what's happening is that he is being excused.”
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