Appearing as a guest on Thursday's New Day on CNN, former Daily Beast Editor-in-Chief Tina Brown lavished praise on GOP presidential candidate Lindsey Graham, as she pined for him to make it onto the main debate stage, and three times gushed that the South Carolina Republican "rocked."
She also rejoiced over Senator Graham characterizing Donald Trump as "a poster boy for ISIS," as she asserted that he is "helping to radicalize the non-radical Muslims."
After co-host Alisyn Camerota asked what she thought of Tuesday's GOP debate, Brown enthused:
I have to say, I thought the undercard debate was where the action was. To me, Lindsey Graham rocked. I want to get that guy out of the undercard onto the main stage because this guy is pithy, he's wise, he's been to Iraq. He rocked on national security, I thought.
Camerota then injected
And he does always bring a different perspective. Not only is he sort of a great entertainer, he has a different position than many of them do.
After the former Daily Beast editor declared that it was "smart" for Graham to praise Muslim-Americans who have served in the armed forces, co-host Chris Cuomo pushed back:
Is It? Or, according to many in his party, almost 60 percent agree with the idea of banning Muslims because they say, what's really smart is to address my fear: Muslims are trying to kill me. What he said in that debate may hurt him with his party.
Brown responded:
The fact is, that's what a leader is supposed to do is lead. And secondly, educate. What he's saying is Donald Trump has become a poster boy for ISIS because he's helping to radicalize the non-radical Muslims. And that was a fantastic point that he made. And I think that if he's allowed to say it and give him any airtime to do so, it could penetrate, and people could actually pay attention. I thought he rocked.
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Thursday, December 17, New Day on CNN:
7:34 a.m. ET
ALISYN CAMEROTA: Okay, let's start with Tuesday night's debate. I know you watched it with great interest. What jumped out at you?
TINA BROWN, FORMER DAILY BEAST EDITOR IN CHIEF I have to say, I thought the undercard debate was where the action was. To me, Lindsey Graham rocked. I want to get that guy out of the undercard onto the main stage because this guy is pithy, he's wise, he's been to Iraq. He rocked on national security, I thought.
CAMEROTA: And he does always bring a different perspective. Not only is he sort of a great entertainer, he has a different position than many of them do.
BROWN: He does, and he's so pithy. I mean, what he said about Muslims, he said, you know, "Leave the faith alone; go after the radicals." You know, and thanking Muslim Americans in uniform for their service. This is very smart.
CHRIS CUOMO: Is It? Or, according to many in his party, almost 60 percent agree with the idea of banning Muslims because they say, what's really smart is to address my fear: Muslims are trying to kill me. What he said in that debate may hurt him with his party.
BROWN: The fact is, that's what a leader is supposed to do is lead. And secondly, educate. What he's saying is Donald Trump has become a poster boy for ISIS because he's helping to radicalize the non-radical Muslims. And that was a fantastic point that he made. And I think that if he's allowed to say it and give him any airtime to do so, it could penetrate, and people could actually pay attention. I thought he rocked.
