MSNBC's Chris Jansing Reports
October 21, 2022
1:05 p.m. Eastern
CHRIS JANSING: So can I ask you this, though, Michael, because I was looking at the statistics. Out of the states with the top 10 violent crime rates from 2020, seven are run by Republicans. Those were the ones that were mentioned in that exchange from Oklahoma. We know that there's a message there that Democrats have, but they seem to be shying away from it. How are Republicans turning around what would seem on their face to be the facts that are against them?
MICHAEL STEELE, MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR: Because they're playing in an old notion that crime is committed by people of color -- crime occurs in areas where people of color live. Crime doesn't occur in white suburban America -- crime occurs in the inner city.
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MSNBC's Chris Jansing Reports
1:07 p.m. Eastern
CHRIS JANSING: Here's the thing, Cornell. We know that violent crime is up in many places, but we also know that seven out of the top 10 states with the worst violent crime rates are run by Republicans. So why do Democrats seem to be losing this issue so badly -- not seeming to -- polls show they are.
CORNELL BELCHER, MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, you know, look, historically, you know, new flash, Republicans have had an advantage on the issue of fighting crime. News flash: Republicans have also had an issue advantage going back to when I was polling at the DNC for Governor Dean in 2006 around the economy. But it is about, sort of, connecting the dots for Democrats on crime. When you connect the dots with the issue of guns, Democrats have a big advantage on guns right now. So there's -- we look for this silver bullet variable, and, yeah, Republicans want to make that conversation all about crime, and Democrats would be foolish to take the bait and make that conversation completely about crime. He or she who defies the debate is typically the one that's going to win the debate.
Democrats want to sort of pitch this forward focus and talk about the future -- talk about gun safety -- talk about freedom and reproductive rights. And Republicans want to make this about inflation and crime because that benefits -- that clearly benefits them. It's just basic campaign tactics, but I will tell you right now, the issue of guns is different now than I've ever seen it because it's typically been an issue where Democrats have not wanted to touch, and has broken solidly for Republicans, and Republicans vote around the issue, Now, especially with the young people -- and particularly I give a lot of credit to the young people in Florida who started mobilizing around this. This issue of guns and gun safety is an issue that is now breaking solidly for Democrats.
