CNN's Don Lemon asks Rep. Jamaal Bowman if Democrats are "blowing it" with regard to getting anything passed as they negotiate the size and scope of President Biden's "Build Back Better" agenda.
CNN’s left-wing host Don Lemon asked if Democrats are "blowing it" while expressing concern on Wednesday that party infighting will impact voters in upcoming elections and the 2022 midterms.
The low-rated host asked Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., if moderates like Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, W-Va., were living in the past with their hopes that coal jobs could be saved in a modern economy.
Bowman responded that the Green New Deal would help people in the fossil fuel industry maintain their jobs as "we come together to deal with the issue of climate change," noting that Hurricane Ida recently walloped New York and New Jersey.
"That’s going to happen more frequently, so we have to get to a place of clean, renewable energy," Bowman said.
Lemon, who didn’t appear to be listening to Bowman’s answer, instead looking down at his desk, started to ask his next question while the congressman was still speaking.
"Are you concerned that it looks like your party is blowing it and that Democrats can’t govern? You know that has huge ramifications, it has a ripple effect," Lemon said. "Look at what’s happening in Virginia and other places where the elections are coming up. I’m going to be sitting here covering elections next week, and then for 2022 and 2024. If you guys can’t come to an agreement on this."
Bowman, one of the furthest left members of Congress, responded, "Governing is about negotiation, right? And negotiating takes time."
"I understand that, that’s true," Lemon said. "That’s not what I’m saying. I’m not talking about negotiating. But governing is also gaining control of a narrative, being able to indicate to voters and to convince them to come aboard, tell them what you’re doing, and also to negotiate and agree."
Bowman interrupted, "In my district, Don, if I may interject briefly, in my district, people are excited that someone is finally fighting for them."
"Your district is not the country," Lemon shot back. "Your district is not the country, I understand that you have to look out for your district."
