Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn, and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile talked over each other in an angry debate on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that began over Hillary Clinton’s comments likening Republican candidates to terrorists and ended with the two shouting about Planned Parenthood.
To begin, Blackburn blasted Hillary’s comments as “inappropriate, over the top, uncalled for,” while Brazile claimed Hillary’s remark was “a contrast, not a comparison.” The two became increasingly heated as they interrupted and spoke over each other.
Hillary’s remarks came Thursday, when the Democratic front-runner said: “Extreme views about women? We expect that from some of the terrorist groups. We expect that from people who don’t want to live in the modern world. But it’s a little hard to take coming from Republicans who want to be the president of the United States.”
Brazile argued that Hillary “understands the difference between [the] Taliban and their views toward women and their policies toward women. And what she was saying is that Republicans have taken this extreme position on giving women the full range of reproductive health services. That’s the point she was making.”
“I’m sorry if you are upset that she said the word Taliban, but the truth is, 21st century policies and leaders do not respond to give women access to birth control do not [give] access to abortion if they are victims of rape and —” said Brazile, before Blacburn cut in.
Hillary’s remarks were a purposeful comparison designed to bring up her flagging poll numbers, said the representative.
“Let’s see who wins the conversation when it comes to —” began Brazile.
“We’re going to win that conversation,” Blackburn shot back saying Americans “agree with us.”
Brazile rejoined that Republicans want to defund Planned Parenthood “which provides mammogram services.”
“No, 94 percent of their business — 94 percent — is abortion services,” said Blackburn.
“No, 97 percent is for non-abortion services,” asserted Brazile.
“Go to their website,” challenged Blackburn. “Their main business — they are America’s biggest abortion provider.”
“Have you visited the Planned Parenthood site? I have,” said Brazile. “I have.”
The conversation having seriously derailed from the original question, host Jake Tapper finally called an end to the chaotic shouting.
“Let’s put a button on that,” said Tapper. “Let’s agree to disagree.”
