CNN’s Scott Jennings clashed with Democratic strategist James Carville on “Anderson Cooper 360” following an “ad hominem attack” leveled by the one-time Clinton administration figure.
Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 313 into law on Wednesday, making Louisiana the 12th state to implement universal school choice and the first state to require the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Jennings expressed no objections to the new mandate, which led to a sharp rebuke from Carville.
“Scott, I mean, is this a violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause? Separation of church and state?” CNN host Anderson Cooper asked.
Jennings responded with “maybe, maybe not” and added that he would defer to courts regarding the law’s constitutionality.
“I certainly don’t think public school teachers should be preachers, but, you know, these are the fundamental tenets of Western civilization. They kinda underpin, you know, our entire criminal justice system,” Jennings said. “And look, if they’re part of a historical display, if they’re hanging up there next to the Constitution, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, I don’t have a problem with it.”
“But I do think it’s sort of amusing that there are people out here so enraged by this today who at the same time love to use public schools and public libraries and other public facilities to distribute information that more matches their own agenda,” Jennings added.
Carville then responded by saying he agreed that “the courts will have to flesh this out” and added that “the problem is, you gotta get kids that can read.” But, the long-time Democratic strategist swiftly inserted a thinly veiled remark to Jennings about “book burners.”
The host then attempted to speak before Jennings fired back at Carville, noting his “worry” about the “quality of education” in the state. Cooper then questioned if Jennings’ stance was “really” about “the quality of public education” before accusing him of being more focused on “electioneering politics.”
“I don’t necessarily think teaching basic, fundamental values of Western civilization is incongruent or in opposition to also having quality education in the school system. And with that in mind, I do respect the Hell out of James Carville, he’s a legend in our business and for people who do what I do. But you are not going to sit on this television and then call me a book burner,” Jennings said.
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