Political strategist Scott Jennings has gone viral after pressing a fellow CNN panellist to explain exactly how the SAVE America Act would strip away Black voting rights.
The legislation, recently passed by the House, would mandate proof of citizenship and photo ID for voting.
CNN NewsNight panellists Alencia Johnson and Charles Blow argued the act could disenfranchise people of colour and accused President Trump of racism.
Jennings challenged their claims, citing polling data that showed widespread support for voter ID among Black and Hispanic voters.
“What voting rights is he taking away from Black voters?” Jennings asked.
“We look at The Save Act, that’s exactly what we’re talking about. That is actually going to continue to disenfranchise overwhelmingly a lot of people of colour,” Johnson replied.
Johnson then repeatedly pressed Democratic Rep. Johnson over claims that voter ID laws would strip minorities of their voting rights.
Johnson argued that requiring ID amounts to a poll tax, which is banned under the 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964.
Jennings pushed back, referencing polling that shows strong support for voter ID, including among Black and Hispanic voters.
“Does it does it concern you that you’re making all these claims, you’ve yet to lay out how it’s hurting anyone, but 76% of Black voters think we should show an ID to vote, 80% of Hispanic voters, 83% of the American people?” Jennings asked.
“Are you saying that Black voters are too dumb to know what’s good for them? I mean, it sounds pretty condescending.”
