'Not a mistake': CNN's Jake Tapper hits RNC for 'highlighting' Black members in prime time
It was no accident that Black Republicans made a prominent appearance on the first day of the Republican National Convention, CNN's Jake Tapper said Monday — they're being "highlighted to the nation" as former President Donald Trump and the GOP try to "chip away at the Democratic Party's historically strong hold on African-American voters."
The anchor argued that that Black Republicans, including North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, and Reps. Wesley Hunt of Texas, Byron Donalds of Florida and Jon James of Michigan were chosen for the prime time slot.
"It is not a mistake that in this prime-time speaking slot you are seeing a lot of African-American Republicans being highlighted to the nation," he said.
Tapper and co-anchor Dana Bash agreed that Trump has seen some success with Black men.
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Bash noted that while Black men were early contenders for Trump's vice presidential pick, they were ostensibly left out of the final three, which reportedly included Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Ultimately, he picked Vance.
Fellow anchor Abby Phillip, who is Black, told the panel that Black and Hispanic working-class men are "taking a look" at Trump and other Republicans.
"Some of it is, it's sort of a vibe that Trump gives off, in a way, that appeals to them," she said. "Some of it is economic policies, to a degree that are working for them. I think the same kind of working-class message that is working with white voters is giving them some in-roads with Black voters."
While there's some "peeling off" of minority votes, Phillip said the question is "how much?"
"There is a disenchantment that is happening," she said, adding: "Sometimes the weakness of your opponent can be your strength."