CNN’s Van Jones isn’t impressed with how Democrats are trying to look “tough.”
He said the party’s new habit of swearing more isn’t working. He especially called out Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett for calling Governor Greg Abbott “Governor Hot Wheels.”
“I don’t know [Crockett] yet. And so here’s how I see it. She’s new, she’s young, she’s trying to find her way,” Jones said. “I think that this party is scrambling, trying to seem tough. And I’m seeing this party traffic in a lot of curse words.”
He said cursing isn’t the move. “That’s supposed to [be] like the new cool thing to do,” he added. “I don’t think that that’s going to be as useful.”
Jones said even Pete Buttigieg has been cursing more. “I don’t know who gave that memo,” he said. “I don’t think that’s very useful.”
Crockett claimed her comment wasn’t meant to mock Abbott’s disability. She posted on X saying she was talking about his policy of moving migrants.
“I think you have to be very careful when you’re talking about people with disabilities,” Jones said. “And I don’t think she was careful. And I don’t know her enough to say she’s not being honest. But I’m going to tell you, it sounded bad.”
He said Democrats are trying to seem strong, but it’s the wrong approach. “I think this party is trying to find a way to look tough and to show fight. But this is not the way,” he said.
“I hope that she will take this as a lesson … It doesn’t sound to me like she’s actually taking full responsibility. If that’s true, I don’t like it and she can’t do that again. She’s too important to us to do that again.”
Jones said Democrats may be copying Trump’s success with a tough image.
“What we’re trying to deal with is that Trump has done this and he’s been successful,” Jones said. “So when you have somebody who does this stuff and they’re successful, you start thinking, ‘well, is that the right way?’”
“I would like for us to say it’s not, but I think it’s hard for us to hear Republicans scolding us on it when your guy does it all the time,” he added. “We are trying to find a way forward.”
Meanwhile, new polls show the Democrats are struggling. CNN/SSRS and NBC News found their popularity at historic lows — 29% and 27%.