Democratic Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth said on MSNBC’s “The Rundown” that while he found Republican House Whip Steve Scalise’s admission that he unknowingly spoke to a white supremacist group in 2002 troubling, he didn’t think he should resign. (VIDEO: Dem Congressman: Eli And Peyton Manning ‘Don’t Do Sexual Assault … Other Than Their Wives’)
“Until there’s further information that contradicts what he said, I take him at his word,” Yarmuth said. “The problem is, however, that many people in politics flirt with groups that are very questionable, sometimes subversive, sometimes racist and try to walk a very, very fine line. … And I think it was important that Steve actually disavowed this group.” (RELATED: Steve Scalise Regrets Speech To David Duke Group: ‘It Was A Mistake I Regret’)
Yarmuth said he found Republicans’ support for voter ID laws more problematic. “The Republican Party and its leadership still flirts with a lot of groups that are undermining voting rights all over the country. They need to get a much more positive agenda in Congress, and that’ll solve all these problems.”
“Should he step down?” asked guest host Richard Lui.
“No, I don’t think so at this point,” he replied. “Again, I think what he ought to do is lead a very affirmative effort in the Congress to expand voting rights and civil rights, and publicly to disavow any of these activities that are undermining voting rights throughout the country.”