CNN's conservative commentator Scott Jennings gloated about the performance of defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth during Tuesday's confirmation hearing, where he faced a barrage of Democratic slings and arrows.
“Long story short, I think Pete Hegseth kicked their butts today. I mean, it wasn't even close. They didn't put any gloves on Hegseth. Make no mistake about it. Calm, calm, collected.” Jennings told CNN colleagues in response to a question from anchor Dana Bash.
Hegseth, 44, an Army National Guard veteran, sat for about four and a half hours before the Senate Armed Services Committee, answering questions about his drinking habits and accusations of sexual misconduct.
The former Fox News host is generally seen as one of President-elect Donald Trump's most difficult candidates to approve, but Jennings insists Hegseth is well prepared for Democratic attacks. did.
“I was appalled by the senators' demeanor and some of their questions. I mean, Tim Kaine sounded like a sexual pervert in his cross-examination of Pete Hegseth,” Jennings jabbed.
Kaine (D-Va.), Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016, addressed rape accusations against Hegseth, which the Princeton and Harvard alumnus vehemently denied. Mr. Kane detailed how Mr. Hegseth confronted his wife's cheating on him at the time.
“You cheated on her mother less than two months after she was born, right?'' Kane asked. “…I believe you swore to be faithful to your wife at every wedding. You took a vow to do so, right?”
Kane implied that Hegseth could not be trusted to uphold his oath of office because he had not upheld his past vows to his wife. The two exchanged words, and Hegseth later said, “I'm not a perfect person — I don't claim to be.”
Jennings reflected on the showdown between Hegseth and Senate Democrats, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), and Maisie Hirono (D-Hawaii). He said he had “ranted about things in a calm manner”.
“Hegseth was cool with these rambling questions. They made him look good today. After today's ugly mudslinging by Democrats, Republicans vote against Hegseth. “It will be difficult,” he added.
Jennings, who previously served as special assistant to former President George W. Bush, also drew attention to protests from left-wing groups such as Code Pink, which disrupted the filibuster.
“Before it even started, they were trying to disrupt the hearing with 'Code Pink'-style protests and freak shows,” he said. “This, by the way, is the Democratic base and probably explains why the Democrats on the committee acted so strangely and unprofessionally.”
He wondered if Democrats had “lowered the bar” in expectations for Hegseth, giving him a chance to shine.
Karen Finney, a fellow CNN panelist and Democratic commentator who worked on Clinton's 2016 campaign, called the hearings “one of the best performances ever.”
“It's clear that Mr. Hegseth was very well prepared,” Finney said, adding that he “didn't like” the way Democrats asked questions during his confirmation hearing.
