During the Senate confirmation hearing of controversial Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Republican Senator John Kennedy—known for his folksy persona and devotion to President Donald Trump—tried to mock Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris of California for her line of questioning.
Earlier in the week Barrett faced a barrage of questions from Harris on what most would find a no-brainer. Questions included is the virus contagious, do cigarettes cause cancer and is climate change happening.
Kamala Harris asks Barrett if she thinks COVID is infectious, if smoking causes cancer, and if she believes that climate change is happening pic.twitter.com/jEpd7CB0tU
— Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) October 14, 2020
Although Barrett answered simply for most of the line up, she stopped at climate change calling it "a contentious matter."
Somehow Barrett was able to "answer" a direct question about the climate crisis without actually mentioning climate change at all.
Instead, she avoided the matter saying:
"You have asked me a series of questions that are completely uncontroversial, like whether COVID-⁵19 is infectious, whether smoking causes cancer and then trying to analogize that to eliciting an opinion from me that is a very contentious matter of public debate..."
"I will not do that, I will not express a view on a matter of public policy, especially when it's politically controversial, cause that's inconsistent with the judicial role."
It is scientific fact…but okay.
Climate change:- 'contentious matter' 'public debate'
This will make the right wing donors, environmental polluters, very happy. 🤬
— Huntsman (@Bongley72) October 14, 2020
'A debatable point'. Oof.
— Mike Dunn (@adrunken_duck) October 14, 2020
So basically the answer is I'm a climate change denier which basically means I'm brain dead and do not have the basic qualifications to sit on the Supreme Court for life!
— davar fazaeli (@davar) October 14, 2020
Harris replied:
"Thank you, Judge Barrett. You have made your point clear that you believe [climate change] is a debatable point."
Cue conservative Senator Kennedy.
Kennedy took issue with the questions Harris asked and responded with his own line of overly simplified questions to Barrett in an attempt to mock his fellow Senate Judiciary Committee member.
Sen. John Kennedy: "Do you hate little warm puppies?"
Judge Barrett: "I do not hate little warm puppies." pic.twitter.com/Ta0Kycge85
— The Hill (@thehill) October 14, 2020
He said to Barrett:
"Judge let's try to answer some of senator Harris's accusations. Are you a racist? Do you support, in all cases, corporations over working people? Are you against clean air, bright water and environmental justice? Do you support science? Do you support children and prosperity?"
Adding finally:
"Do you hate little warm puppies?"
Barrett answered the questions and chuckled while saying she does not hate little warm puppies moving on with the conversation.
Twitter was not so quick to brush off the Louisiana Senator's mocking questions aimed more at Harris than the SCOTUS nominee and had a few things to say.
What is wrong with Senator Kennedy? Not a funny question given she did not have an answer on children being taken from their parents at the border.
— Ruth Wasem (@rewasem) October 14, 2020
This is so juvenile
— Elsie🏴☠️ (@notalemming70) October 15, 2020
New on my list of job interview questions
1) Do you hate little warm #puppies?
I will practice my answer FOR SURE! #AmyConeyBarrett #ACBHearings #SupremeCourtConfirmation #SenateConfirmationHearings #SenatorKennedy #WTF? pic.twitter.com/8JaWu3DlOQ
— Toronto Princess (@TorontoGurl13) October 14, 2020
What a condescending pr*ck.
— MoreSkyPlease (@Moreskyplease) October 14, 2020
Mockery of the whole damn process! Kennedy needs to go to pasture
— Carmen Romero (@Carmenr1Carmen) October 14, 2020
I say this as a dog-lover: I would rather ACB believe in the science of climate change and hate warm little puppies.
— Political Chipmunk (@politicalmunk) October 14, 2020
Some felt Kennedy was mocking not just a political rival but the democratic process with his condescending questions.
Kennedy's line of question is mocking the people and making a mockery of the nomination process.
— M.McMahon (@martinm34060415) October 14, 2020
Kennedy is a plague to the Senate and its reputation
— The_Shaman_The_Griot (@KngWzr_D) October 14, 2020
The whole questioning by the Republicans WAS A SHAM! Our forefathers are turning in their grades. NO RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE OR COUNTRY!!
— Carl ⚓🇺🇸🐨🇦🇺🦘 (@crlrsnbm) October 15, 2020
While some may find snide responses humorous, we hope Senator Kennedy can focus on real issues while in office.
