During a softball interview with Democratic California Senator Kamala Harris on Thursday, MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle urged the left-wing lawmaker to slam President Trump over his decision not to utilize the Defense Production Act as long as numerous companies are already volunteering to produce essential medical equipment needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The host even laughed as her guest accused the President of “abject failure.”
“This is the call I keep getting from my mother....What is the rationale behind the President not enacting this, which would force production? Wouldn’t we want to help our heroes putting themselves in harm’s way?,” Ruhle complained to Harris. The anchor then remarked to the failed Democratic presidential candidate: “I realize you’re not the president. But can you help us understand that rationale?” The Senator laughed and quipped: “I tried to be.”
As if they were in a comedy skit – rather than talking about a global pandemic – Harris asked about Ruhle’s mother: “Is she Mrs. Ruhle? What’s her name?” Ruhle laughed and replied: “Louise!...Louise is watching and wants to know, yes.” Harris jumped at the chance to slam Trump:
Stephanie’s mom, Louise!...I’ve been asking the same question and I don’t understand it....he tells our Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on the telephone, “Hey, activate it.” And then the next day he’s saying, “I’m not Venezuela. I’m not going to take over as a socialist government.” And I don’t think he gets it...he doesn’t fully understand the role, responsibility, and power of the President of the United States to do good for the people.
Continuing her lecture, Harris, who in a November debate labeled the President “a criminal,” suddenly wanted him to exercise some of his most extreme executive powers:
But unfortunately, we have someone in the White House who I don’t think understands the core and essential functions of government. I don’t think he respects those core and essential functions of government to understand what he should be unlocking.... I don’t understand, Louise. I don’t understand it, I don’t get it. I think it’s an abject failure of leadership.
Ruhle laughed again at the mention of her mother, and happily concluded: “Senator, I’m going to speak on my mother’s behalf because assure you she’s calling me right now saying, ‘See, when the women are in charge, they know all the answers.’”
That is what passes for an interview on MSNBC when a Democrat is booked.
Here is a transcript of the March 26 exchange:
1:24 PM ET
(...)
STEPHANIE RUHLE: Then help me understand this. This is the call I keep getting from my mother. Tim Cook’s generosity, Elon Musk’s generosity are a positive. What is the rationale behind the President not enacting this, which would force production? Wouldn’t we want to help our heroes putting themselves in harm’s way? Can you help us – I realize you’re not the president. But can you help us understand that rationale?
SEN. KAMALA HARRIS [D-CA] [Laughing]: I tried to be.
RUHLE: My mother’s watching.
HARRIS: Is she Mrs. Ruhle? What’s her name?
RUHLE [Laughing]: Louise!
HARRIS: Stephanie’s mom, Louise! Louise. I’ve been asking the same question, Louise.
RUHLE: Louise is watching and wants to know, yes.
HARRIS: Hi, Louise. I’ve been asking the same question and I don’t understand it. And when confronted with it, you know, he tells Schumer, he tells our Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on the telephone, “Hey, activate it.” And then the next day he’s saying, “I’m not Venezuela. I’m not going to take over as a socialist government.” And I don’t think he gets it. I just don’t think he gets it. And perhaps this is one of those other moments where he doesn’t fully understand the role, responsibility, and power of the President of the United States to do good for the people.
This is a national crisis. Let’s be very clear, the government has three essential functions, and one of them is public health. This is that moment that we have seen them, elected leaders in local government and state government rise to this moment, mayors around the country, governors around the country, rising to this moment. But unfortunately, we have someone in the White House who I don’t think understands the core and essential functions of government. I don’t think he respects those core and essential functions of government to understand what he should be unlocking. And in this case, to require and encourage and incentivize domestic production of the health resources like masks and ventilators that will save American lives.
I don’t understand, Louise. I don’t understand it, I don’t get it. I think it’s an abject failure of leadership.
RUHLE: Senator, I’m going to speak on my mother’s behalf because assure you she’s calling me right now saying, “See, when the women are in charge, they know all the answers.” Senator, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
(...)
