CBS This Morning co-host Tony Dokoupil on Monday tossed softballs to a Democratic vice presidential aspirant, cheering her “very well done” evasion of a question on the VP spot. Dokoupil offered no tough questions on Congresswoman Val Deming’s being open to the idea of “dismantling” police departments.
On the subject of running with Biden, the co-host managed the most basic of inquiries: “I can’t let you go without asking have you spoken to former Vice President Joe Biden lately? And what has he said?” After Demings declined to talk about “personal conversations,” Dokoupil hailed the evasion by the Democrat: “All right. Neither confirming nor denying conversations under way. Very well done. Thank you very much.”
On the subject of the idea of abolishing Minneapolis’s police force, Dokoupil didn't seem to think it was controversial at all: “I want to start with the news out of Minneapolis, the city council voting to dismantle, not just defund but dismantle and rebuild the police department there. Is that a strategy you could agree with?”
Demings indicated possible agreement, allowing, “I also believe that the council is being thoughtful in terms of looking at all of the services that police provide.” Rather than follow-up on how “thoughtful” the idea is, Dokoupil teased out gentle answers:
Yeah. So, Congresswoman, you mentioned the context there and you also mentioned that there are statutes that call police into situations where a badge and a gun may not be necessary. So, on the question of defunding the police, what many people mean is move that money out of law enforcement hands and into another sort of community engagement fund. Do you support that strategy?
If Demings is the VP nominee, expect the press to continue this trend of not asking tough questions. The Washington Post referred to the Democrat as a “modern-day Wonder Woman.” NBC cheered Demings, one of the House impeachment managers against Donald Trump, for “making history.”
A transcript of the CBS questions can be found below. Click "expand" to read more.
CBS This Morning
6/8/2020
8:07 AM ET
TONY DOKOUPIL: Attorney General William Barr told Face the Nation yesterday that he believes systemic racism is not a problem in U.S. law enforcement. Congresswoman Val Demings, who used to be Orlando's police chief, calls it the ghost in the room. The Florida Democrat is on the short list of potential running mates for presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden. And Congresswoman Demings joins us now from Orlando. Congresswoman, good morning. A lot of news to get to. I want to start with the news out of Minneapolis, the city council voting to dismantle, not just defund but dismantle and rebuild the police department there. Is that a strategy you could agree with?
CONGRESSWOMAN VAL DEMINGS: Well, first of all, let me say good morning to you and everyone. It's good to be with you. There are a lot of things being proposed throughout the nation, and I think it's the direct result of people being hurt, disappointed at what happened to Mr. Floyd. That's all too familiar to them. But also angry and demanding change. I believe that everyone has a right to look at any proposal that is put forth because there desperately needs to be change. I also believe that the council is being thoughtful in terms of looking at all of the services that police provide. You know, there are some cases that statutorily law enforcement is responsible for investigating. They do a lot of things associated with natural disasters and terrorism. And so, what I believe, the council along with law enforcement authorities in other community leaders will sit down and look at everything and come out with a plan that allows them to keep Minneapolis safe but also bring the community and the police together in a much needed and long overdue way.
DOKOUPIL: Yeah. So, Congresswoman, you mentioned the context there and you also mentioned that there are statutes that call police into situations where a badge and a gun may not be necessary. So, on the question of defunding the police, what many people mean is move that money out of law enforcement hands and into another sort of community engagement fund. Do you support that strategy?
…
DOKOUPIL: Congresswoman, yeah it sounds like you’re not using the words defund the police, but in terms of narrowing the scope of the police mission it sounds like you do agree that that could be in the future of this country. I want to talk about the bigger future of this country and the past. Attorney General Barr says systemic racism is not present in law enforcement. Other administration officials is said the same thing. How can you fix a problem that roughly half the leadership does not recognize exists?
…
DOKOUPIL: Congresswoman Demings, we do have to go, but I can’t let you go without asking have you spoken to former Vice President Joe Biden lately? And what has he said?
DEMINGS: Well, I'm not going to share any personal conversations that I have or have not had with the vice president. But look, I am honored to be considered to run alongside Joe Biden. I'll leave it there.
DOKOUPIL: Okay. All right. Neither confirming nor denying conversations under way. Very well done. Thank you very much.
