After hours of focusing on horse race results and CNN’s magic wall, the liberal network’s first piece analysis reminded us why they’re still a laughingstock of a network. A trio of lefties marvelled at Democrats winning back governors mansions within the deepest blue state with “stellar”, Wes Moore in Maryland and Maura Healey (Massachusetts).
Abby Phillip, Inside Politics Sunday host, swooned when she said that Healey was “the first openly homosexual governor in that state –or the first lesbian president in the entire nation” and that she could have company later in night if Tina Kotek wins in Oregon.
Phillip extolled Moore as “someone that Democrats agree is possibly the future of our party” and “a great rising star.”
Chris Wallace, Who’s Talking host, joined the fray and praised Moore as “an enormously important candidate” and noted that Moore won in “deepblue states” after eight years’ of “moderate, medium Republicans, Larry Hogan, Charlie Baker, both very well-received.”
They both had very few challengers, as the GOP nominees were “hard-right candidates.” Wallace also didn’t mention how Democrats interfered in the GOP primaries to support these candidates.
Bash had more Valentines to give out. Moore praised Moore as “just stellar”, with a resume that included a stint in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. Bash praised Healey’s “historic moment” of being the first openly gay female governor in the Bay State.
Phillip was still fascinated by the experience, calling it twice “amazing” and then adding that “there are many places in this country, especially when we look at these statewide elections where it is a barrier for women to be able to reach those positions, and for black people to get elected in those positions.”
She concluded, “So, there are a lot of barriers we thought we had gotten over but people are still breaking down in 2022.”
Click “expand” to see the relevant transcript from November 8.
CNN’s Election Night in America
November 8, 2022
Eastern, 9:43 p.m.
DANA BASH – Let’s get back to the pair that Boris was referring to when he said “firsts”. You’ll have a Democrat again in the governor’s house in Maryland and Massachusetts — excuse my in Massachusetts and Maryland. Maryland is — because we’re local, the signs are everywhere. Talk about Wes Moore, and the importance of it.
ABBYPHILLIP: There’s a lot more history to be made tonight. These are two major ones, but I think they are important, especially for Democrats from Massachusetts, the first openly homosexual governor in that state or the first lesbian in this country. Tina Kotek winning in Oregon could mean that there is a second one tonight. This is a significant moment in Massachusetts’ history, with the governor’s mansion being returned to Democrats. In Maryland, Wes Moore is a rising star that Democrats believe is the future of the party. Boris said that he has never held public office before and that he is a rising star who took over the governor’s mansion from a popular Republican governor. That’s definitely where I would be looking.
CHRIS WALLACE (Yes, there’s no doubt). We see Wes Moore as an impressive candidate in a lot the ads that we see here in Washington. I agree with you. He will have a national profile. It’s interesting that these two deep blue states, Maryland & Massachusetts, are governed by moderate, moderate Republicans Larry Hogan and Charlie Baker. Both of them are very popular. Moore and Healey were both benefited by having hard-right candidates, candidates who strongly opposed abortion, and strongly for Trump. One of them claimed that Pence was a traitor. Another said that the 2020 election had been rigged. This kind of politics is from a Republican
BASH: Yeah.
WALLACE: — won’t work in Maryland or Massachusetts.
BASH: Yes, absolutely. And the resume Wes Moore has is simply stellar. A veteran of Afghanistan and the 82nd Airborne. But I want to go back Maura Healey in Massachusetts.
PHILLIP: Yeah, it’s amazing.
BASH: — Massachusetts?
PHILLIP — It is amazing, and it — Massachusetts isn’t the only place in history where it hasn’t happened. There are many places in this country where it is difficult for women to get elected, especially when you consider these statewide contests.
BASH: Yeah.
PHILIP — For black people to be elected to those positions. I think Wes Moore would be the third black governor elected in this country since Reconstruction. There are many barriers that we thought we had overcome, but people still break down in 2022.
WALLACE: You’re right about Wes Moore. I’m referring to the first black governor in Maryland. Another deep blue state. They broke a few barriers tonight, and we will see how the national race goes. But in — in a few very blue states, some very impressive blue candidates.
