MSNBC hosts Chris Jansing and Nicolle Wallace both picked up misleading statistics linking high crime to Republicans on Tuesday. Both anchors did not inform viewers that even Republican-leaning States have crime-ridden municipalities run by Democrats. Instead, they recited a list naming the top 10 states based on their crime rate.
On Deadline: White House, Wallace discussed the topic with Fred Guttenberg, a gun control activist. Wallace stated that Republicans are running on crime and the most dangerous places to live in America. All states run by Republicans are the ones where gun crime is at its worst and where there is the greatest chance of death. So, I don’t know how we communicate this in the two weeks remaining before the midterms.
Guttenberg accused Republicans, blaming them for more shootings, of promoting a “big lying” about the crime issue.
The crime argument is another big lie. Let’s talk about Uvalde. Because they lost their loved ones, those families are heroic. It’s easy to look at Texas and all the legislative decisions they made over the years to weaken gun safety laws and draw a straight line to DNA kits being sent home with parents. It’s because of them. They did it. It is why Texas is so deadly.
He claimed then that gun control opponents are “indoctrinate” so they should be ignored.
Here’s where I am, Nicolle — 37% of this country is indoctrinated. They are radicalized. They are radicalized. But, you know what? I believe that the rest of the country cares. They care about safety. They are horrified at DNA test kits and want President Biden to do more.
Guttenberg is so far left on this issue that CNN announced a right-leaning employee to help them analyze gun issues. The liberal activist threatened to stop appearing in the network’s programs.
Wallace was then followed up by Wallace:
According to the CDC, Mississippi and Louisiana are the ten states with the highest number of gun-related deaths. Although I didn’t have the time to visit all the state officials’ websites, I’m certain many of them will be running on crime if they are up in two weeks. How can you discredit the lies about the threat Democrats pose to crime when the ten states with the highest gun death rates — are — run by Republicans?
HotAir.com’s Buck Sexton responded to a similar argument made against Republicans by Paul Krugman, a liberal New York Times columnist. Sexton noted that crime-ridden areas in Republican States tend to be run and managed by Democrats and cited a Washington Post op ed by Marc Thiessen.
Chris Jansing had just spoken with Cornell Belcher, a MSNBC contributor, on her eponymous morning show. While we know that violent crime has increased in many places, we also know that seven of the top ten states with the highest violent crime rates are governed by Republicans. Why is this happening to Democrats? They are not’seeming’ to be — polls prove they are.
Last Friday, she shared similar words with Michael Steele, MSNBC contributor: “I was looking through the statistics. Seven of the 10 states with the highest violent crime rates in 2020 are run by Republicans. She asked: “We know there’s an important message that Democrats have, but they seem reluctant to embrace it.” How can Republicans turn around what appears to be facts against them?
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These transcripts are available:
MSNBC Deadline: White House
October 25, 2022
Eastern, 5:03 p.m.
NICOLLE WALLACE – When you look at Republicans running for crime, the most dangerous places to live in America are the places where gun crime has been the worst and where you have the highest risk of dying. These states are all run by Republicans. So, I don’t get how we communicate this in the two weeks before the midterms.
FRED GUTTENBERG DAUGHTER OF PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING VICTIM : The crime argument is another big lie. And, of course, let’s not forget about Uvalde. Because they lost their loved ones, those families are heroic. It’s easy to look at Texas and all the legislative decisions they made over the years to weaken gun safety laws and draw a straight line to DNA kits being sent home with parents. It’s because of them. They did it. It is why Texas is so deadly.
So I’ll just say it. You know, 15 minutes ago, you showed some people with guns showing up at the polls because they misunderstand what their rights are. They use guns to intimidate. You also discussed, you know where we are as countries with Eddie (Glaude), who was brilliant just before. Here’s where I am, Nicolle: 37% of this country is indoctrinated. They are radicalized. They are radicalized. But, you know what? I believe that the rest of this nation does care. They care about safety. They are horrified at DNA test kits and want President Biden to do more.
(…)
WALLACE: According to the CDC, Mississippi and Louisiana are the states with the highest number of gun-related deaths. Although I didn’t have the time to visit all the state officials’ websites, I’m certain many of them will be running on crime if they are up in two weeks. How can you discredit the lies about the threat Democrats pose to crime when the ten states with the highest gun death rates — are — run by Republicans?
GUTTENBERG : But, I think, listen. The reporting you’re referring to was so important. We have a few weeks left where we hope everyone in the media shares the truth. These states are deadly per capita. There are more homes per capita, with more guns, and more gun violence.
(…)
Chris Jansing reports for MSNBC
October 21, 2022
Eastern, 1:05 p.m.
CHRIS JANSING: I can ask you this, Michael, but I was looking at the statistics. Seven of the 10 states with the highest violent crime rates in 2020 are run by Republicans. These were the ones mentioned in the Oklahoma exchange. We know there is a message there that Democrats want to send, but they seem to be avoiding it. How can Republicans change what seems on their face to be facts against them?
MICHAELSTEELE, MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR – Because they believe that crime is committed primarily by people of color — crime happens in areas where people are of color. Crime does not occur in suburban America; it occurs in the inner cities.
(…)
Chris Jansing reports for MSNBC
October 25, 2022
Eastern, 1:07 p.m.
CHRIS JANSING : Here’s the deal, Cornell. While we know that violent crime has increased in many places, we also know that seven of the top ten states with the highest violent crime rates are governed by Republicans. Why is this happening to Democrats? They are not “seeming” to be — polls prove it.
CORNELL BELCHER MSNBC POLITICAL ANOINT: You know, historically, new flash, Republicans have enjoyed an advantage in fighting crime. News flash: Republicans also have an advantage in the area of fighting crime, as I observed when I was polling at DNC for Governor Dean in 2006. This was around the economy. It is about connecting the dots for Democrats regarding crime. Democrats have a huge advantage in gun control if you can connect the dots. There’s — we look to find the silver bullet variable. Republicans want to talk about crime. Democrats would be foolish not to take that bait and focus that conversation entirely on crime. The debate’s winner is usually the one who defines it.
Democrats want to pitch this forward to talk about the future — talk gun safety — talk freedom — talk about reproductive rights. Republicans want to talk about crime and inflation because it benefits them. It’s just campaign tactics. But I will tell you, the issue gun is different than ever. Historically, it was an issue that Democrats didn’t want to touch and Republicans voted around it. Now, especially with young people — and I particularly give credit to the young people from Florida who started mobilizing around it. The issue of guns and gun safety has become a major issue for Democrats.
