An MSNBC contributor said on-air Thursday that Republicans are using the coronavirus to “kill as many people as possible.”
“I understand, I mean, the real blame here is Mitch McConnell, is the Republicans, is the president, is a party that does not want to help people, that is working on one side to actually make sure that the pandemic kills as many people as possible,” former New York Times columnist Anand Giridharadas said. “That seems to be the logical consequence of their policy and then to make sure that all the people who managed to survive it despite their policy suffer economically and beyond.”
MSNBC guest @AnandWrites: “The real blame here is Mitch McConnell, is the Republicans, is the president, is a party that does not want to help people, that is working on one side to actually make sure the pandemic kills as many people as possible.” pic.twitter.com/5PbXBMPt65
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 10, 2020
Giridharadas then turned his attention to Democrats and wondered aloud why they aren’t using the coronavirus as a political tool and accusing them of “not meeting the moment.”
“Why aren’t we hearing thundering speeches from Joe Biden, from Pelosi, from Schumer making this case in a way that bends public opinion, forces Republicans into a corner?” he asked. “This is not about ‘Medicare for all’ right now. We’re not talking about sweeping social policy. … This is emergency relief in the worst crisis since the Great Depression, and we’re having this little Washington committee talk instead of talk of muscularly dealing with the restoration of some balance in people’s lives, some stability, food on people’s tables.”
Giridharadas mentioned the comment on Twitter and said he’s “sorry-not-sorry.”
“I’m sorry-not-sorry I hurt the right wing’s feelings today bigly — it happens about three times a year,” he tweeted. “But if you’re picking up what I’m putting down, consider subscribing to my newsletter, http://The.Ink. Grateful for all of you, and for the many kind notes today.”
I’m sorry-not-sorry I hurt the right wing’s feelings today bigly — it happens about three times a year.
But if you’re picking up what I’m putting down, consider subscribing to my newsletter, https://t.co/jnQdjIbDXu.
Grateful for all of you, and for the many kind notes today.
— Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites) December 10, 2020
MSNBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
