On Thursday's New Day show, CNN had moderate Republican ex-Congresswoman Barbara Comstock on the show to react to the days news and be critical of her own party.
Co-host Brianna Keilar began by bringing up Missouri resident Mark McCloskey, whom a local Democratic prosecutor charged with a crime after he and his wife brandished guns to defend their property from left-wing protesters who were trespassing.
Noting that he is running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican, Keilar played up the felony charged and portrayed him as unworthy of being elected:
The latest Republican in Missouri running for the Senate also happens to be facing felony gun charges. Mark McCloskey is the St. Louis homeowner seen last summer along with his wife Patricia pointing guns at demonstrators walking outside their home. The couple pleaded not guilty in October to weapons charges and evidence tampering. Joining me now is former Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock. ... What's your reaction to that man being the face of the Republican party? This is someone who's running for Senate.
The words "Gun-wielding lawyer facing charges running for Senate" were shown on screen. Not mentioned was that a large group of protesters allegedly broke through a gate and walked across their property while yelling threats.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has also stated that he would pardon McCloskey and his wife if they were convicted.
Comstock derided McCloskey as a "ridiculous" candidate as she responded:
Well, this is an unserious person. This is unfortunately part of the Trump era is you get characters like this, like whether it's Matt Gaetz or Marjorie Greene, and now you're having this going over and infecting the Senate. I don't expect he will even get a nomination. I have a favorite in Missouri myself who is not a man. So I think the Republican party, if they want to win back the majority, certainly can't have this type of ridiculous candidate.
The Virginia Republican soon added:
I certainly don't think a lot of, you know, serious Republicans, including a lot of people in Missouri, want somebody like this. But this kind of notoriety that they get, unfortunately, encourages this type of thing. And you have consultants around them who feel like they can make money promoting someone like that. That's really probably what's more behind this, the money to the made.
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Transcript follows. Click "expand" to read more.
CNN
New Day
May 20, 2021
8:33 a.m. Eastern
BRIANNA KEILAR: The latest Republican in Missouri running for the Senate also happens to be facing felony gun charges. Mark McCloskey is the St. Louis homeowner seen last summer along with his wife Patricia pointing guns at demonstrators walking outside their home. The couple pleaded not guilty in October to weapons charges and evidence tampering. Joining me now is former Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock. ... What's your reaction to that man being the face of the Republican party? This is someone who's running for Senate.
EX-CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA COMSTOCK (R-VA): Well, this is an unserious person. This is unfortunately part of the Trump era is you get characters like this, like whether it's Matt Gaetz or Marjorie Greene, and now you're having this going over and infecting the Senate. I don't expect he will even get a nomination. I have a favorite in Missouri myself who is not a man. So I think the Republican party, if they want to win back the majority, certainly can't have this type of ridiculous candidate.
KEILAR: There's no indication they aren't sort of leaning into that, though, right? We're seeing that.
COMSTOCK: I certainly don't think a lot of, you know, serious Republicans, including a lot of people in Missouri, want somebody like this. But this kind of notoriety that they get, unfortunately, encourages this type of thing. And you have consultants around them who feel like they can make money promoting someone like that. That's really probably what's more behind this, the money to the made.
KEILAR: They certainly will make some.
