On Wednesday's New Day on CNN, co-host John Berman pressed Democratic Senator Chris Coons from by left by recalling accusations by liberals that Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein was not as tough enough in questioning Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
Instead of giving any pushback against Coons's attacks on President Donald Trump, Berman brought of criticism of Feinstein and her future as ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee as the CNN host posed:
The ranking Democrat on that committee is Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. And there have been a lot of Democrats upset with her, saying that she did not do a good job representing the Democratic party in the hearings for Amy Coney Barrett. As you sit here this morning, do you want her to be the lead Democrat on Judiciary going forward?
After Coons cheered on Senator Feinstein for arguing against what he called Judge Barrett's "extremely conservative record," Berman pressed from the left again by following up: "Senator, to answer my question, though, is, going forward, do you want Senator Feinstein to be the lead Democrat on this committee, either as ranking member or maybe the chair?"
Coons again dodged the question, leading Berman to press again: "So not willing to answer this morning?"
The interview then concluded with Senator Coons taking more shots at Judge Barrett while refusing to commit to whether he would cave in to the left, and Berman gave no pushback against the attacks on Judge Barrett:
SENATOR COONS: I have a lot of respect for Senator Feinstein, I think she's contributed immensely to the Senate, and I understand how angry many Democrats are by the Barrett confirmation. I share that anger, but I frankly think folks are taking it out on her, that at the very end of the hearings, that she engaged in a brief moment of civility with Chairman Graham. I understand why folks are angry about the entire confirmation process, but I think that anger is more appropriately focused at the Republicans who are driving through this extreme nominee who is unqualified to serve because of her extreme views.
BERMAN: Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, thanks so much for being with us. Appreciate your time.
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Relevant transcript follows:
New Day
October 21, 2020
SENATOR CHRIS COONS (D-DE): Joe Biden's bracing for Donald Trump to continue doing what he's done for four years, to be a disruptive bully who has no clear plan for how to move our country forward. And Joe will show that he does have a plan for how to bring us together.
JOHN BERMAN: Part of your day job is being a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the ranking Democrat on that committee is Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. And there have been a lot of Democrats upset with her, saying that she did not do a good job representing the Democratic party in the hearings for Amy Coney Barrett. As you sit here this morning, do you want her to be the lead Democrat on Judiciary going forward?
SENATOR COONS: John, let's be clear about these hearings. We were considering the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Ginsburg, who had just passed and who was appropriate to succeed her. And on that challenge, Senator Feinstein, who has a long record herself of fighting for reproductive rights and gender equity in her opening and her closing statements, in her questioning of Judge Barrett was very clear and very effective at being one of the Senators on my side who put the concerns of real people, of the risks to the Affordable Care Act front and center, and exposed Judge Barrett's extremely conservative record and the way she would do damage to our country. One of the hardest things for me this week is that instead of constructively negotiating a relief package, the Senate is -- the Republican majority in the Senate is solely focused on trying to rush through Judge Barrett's nomination.
BERMAN: Senator, to answer my question, though, is, going forward, do you want Senator Feinstein to be the lead Democrat on this committee, either as ranking member or maybe the chair?
SENATOR COONS: Look, I have a lot of respect for Senator Feinstein and her long record of leadership, and I think this is an issue that's best worked out by the caucus.
BERMAN: So not willing to answer this morning?
SENATOR COONS: I have a lot of respect for Senator Feinstein, I think she's contributed immensely to the Senate, and I understand how angry many Democrats are by the Barrett confirmation. I share that anger, but I frankly think folks are taking it out on her, that at the very end of the hearings, that she engaged in a brief moment of civility with Chairman Graham. I understand why folks are angry about the entire confirmation process, but I think that anger is more appropriately focused at the Republicans who are driving through this extreme nominee who is unqualified to serve because of her extreme views.
BERMAN: Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, thanks so much for being with us. Appreciate your time.
