Pew Poll: Americans Across Racial Backgrounds Agree Race Relations Are Bad
LEMON: A new poll from Pew paints a bleak picture of race relations in America. Almost two-thirds of Americans say it's become more common for people to express racist views since President Trump was elected, and 45 percent of Americans say it has become more acceptable to express racist views since 2016. That as a Democratic congressman calls a tough White House advisor a white nationalist. Here to discuss: David Swerdlick, Scott Jennings, and Tara Setmayer. Listen, we got pre-empted a little bit, right, by the town hall, so we've got to go quick, guys. Thank you so much for joining us. Tara, you say the poll is evidence to back up what you have thought all along. Why did you say that?</s>TARA SETMAYER, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, A, I live it every day, and B, we can see it based on reporting, based on statistics, that there has been an increase in hate crimes, there has been language that comes from the president of the united states and some of the things that have been said by other officials. People seem to be more emboldened with their bigotry. It's undeniable. Now, under Obama, people thought that race relations worsened also but not to this degree. I think it is not a good direction for the country to go in and it just highlights what we've been saying that it's more than just anecdotal now. It's empirical.</s>LEMON: Yeah. Listen, I think that what you bring up to people, race relations in America, this just reinforces that we've been grappling with race relations for a long time.</s>SETMAYER: Yup.</s>LEMON: It doesn't seem to be getting better. But I think the take away from this poll is that people feel more emboldened now --</s>SETMAYER: Uh-hmm.</s>LEMON: -- than they did before under the previous president and others, not just Obama. Scott, the same poll found that more than half of the Americans say the president has made race relations worse. They pin it on him. Why?</s>SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think for the same reason that people may have pinned race relations getting worse under Obama. People are ascribing the things they don't like about America to a political party that they don't like that happened to be in power. And I look at this poll and I am disheartened by it because we've had two consecutive presidencies where people say things are getting worse. I am starting to wonder and ask myself, is it time we stop looking to presidents and politicians to solve this problem? I think we are more likely to find understanding and progress if we look inside our churches, our schools, our work places, and in our own hearts. I think we are more likely to find progress there than looking for politicians in our broken politics to solve this problem. I think it is on every single individual in a community to get this right. I think it's on every single parent, especially parents of white children. I have four at home. I need them to understand they're going to have a different experience if they are black. I need them to understand they have to remain vigilant in their peer group and call it out and stop it when they see it. To me, that's a better place to look than at a president or a politician to fix these problems because it is clear our politics is not allowing for progress in this right now.</s>LEMON: Listen, I give you credit on half of that. I think that people should be doing exactly what you are saying, but I also think the president of the United States should also be an example --</s>SETMAYER: Absolutely.</s>LEMON: -- and the lead --</s>SETMAYER: I agree with you.</s>JENNINGS: But clearly presidents are not capable of solving this and it is regrettable.</s>SETMAYER: They are capable of being better examples. Let's not -- let Trump and others survive that. And so the church needs to be a better example, too. That's a great message, Scott.</s>LEMON: David, I want to get you in here. You know, as I said --</s>DAVID SWERDLICK, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Sure.</s>LEMON: -- two-thirds of Americans say that it has become more common for people to express racist views since Trump is elected. Two-thirds is a lot bigger number than you would expect to see if it was purely a partisan response, right?</s>SWERDLICK: Right. First of all, Don, congrats on the engagement. That's great news.</s>LEMON: Thank you.</s>SWERDLICK: I agree mostly with what -- everything what Scott is saying and what Tara is saying. I just want to push back a little bit on what Scott said about President Obama. In eight years as president, I recall one statement he made that I think that was over the line and inflammatory. Right before the 2010 midterms, he made comments to the effect that Latinos should go out and vote to punish Republicans, who were their political enemies. He wound up apologizing for that. I think that stands out as an isolated incident. Contrast that to President Trump, who in 2015 told the Republican Jewish coalition that -- I am a negotiator like you, folks. He said total and complete ban on Muslims, came down the escalator and said that Mexicans were rapists, too many insults to black people to count. We don't have time for it right now. President Trump, I think, the reason, Don, you see a 65 percent in this poll is going back to that first number which is that President Trump makes race baiting comments so cavalierly that people feel freer now to make those comments themselves.</s>LEMON: Yeah. Listen, I have to say everyone made good points. Yes, it is incumbent on all Americans. As you said, Scott, you said especially white Americans to understand that people are treated differently in this country. That's a very valid point. But I think most people will agree that president also sets the tone from the top. It would be helpful overall if the president can engage in trying to tamp this down and bring people together. Thank you, all. I appreciate it.</s>SWERDLICK: Thanks, Don.</s>LEMON: Polls are closed in Israel elections and votes are being counted. But so far, it is too close to call. Will Prime Minister Netanyahu stay in office? The latest, live from Jerusalem, that's next.