Lawrence Jones grilled GOP presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson, suggesting he is missing the mark with the modern Republican base.
A CBS News/YouGov poll released Monday showed the former governor of Arkansas with less than 1% support among likely Republican primary voters.
Jones, who is the latest to host Fox News Tonight as Tucker Carlson’s temporary replacement, asked Hutchinson to explain why his policy positions do not align with what polling suggests to be Republican voters’ ideals.
“The Republicans have spoken,” Jones said of polling data indicating Republican voters do not support continued funding of the war in Ukraine. “They supported it initially, and now they want to pull back on it. Is that something you are willing to change to gain their vote?”
“Well, the answer is no,” Hutchinson replied. “I don’t sense that belief among the Republican base that I’ve talked to. I think there’s broad support for our efforts in Ukraine.”
Hutchinson also defended his lack of support for bills banning gender-affirming care and puberty blockers, saying the legislation goes too far and has overstepped parental rights.
“Respectfully, I’m sorry, governor,” Jones interjected. “You’re in a Republican primary. That may be the opinion of independents. That may be the opinion of Democrats. That may be even — I’ve got a lot of friends of the Libertarian Party. They may welcome you in — but when you have Republicans saying this is a fundamental issue for them, how do you square that in a Republican primary?”
Hutchinson said it is an “important issue,” making it a worthy topic of debate regarding the role of the state. The former governor also affirmed that he believed there are only two genders, but that “it’s important to have debate. It’s important to have free speech.”
“Respectfully, sir, that is spin,” Jones responded.
“Well, I disagree,” Hutchinson pushed back, suggesting his talking points and positions can still connect with today’s Republican voter.
“I lowered taxes in Arkansas. That’s a Republican position. I created surpluses,” Hutchinson said. “We balanced the budget. That’s what Republicans do. We lead in this country on conservative principles. And whenever you’re looking at our values, I stand second to none in terms of fighting for pro-life values and conservative values. Look at my record.”
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Jones made his debut as the youngest black solo host of a cable news program in January 2022 with his Saturday night Fox News show, Lawrence Jones Cross Country.
Jones becomes the second host to take over the prime-time slot once held by Carlson.
