There is no bigger issue in the state of Alabama or elsewhere than the coronavirus pandemic that originated in China.
It has killed people, directly and indirectly. It has wrecked our economic growth. It has destroyed businesses. It will cause issues with our state’s budgets. It has obliterated lives. Less importantly, it could rob us of football season.
But the situation has also paused a GOP U.S. Senate primary and highlighted the difference between a prepared candidate and a guy whose main qualification is that he is “not a politician.”
Jeff Sessions wouldn’t even back down when confronted by the President of the United States who appointed him United States Attorney General. Sessions was right about recusing himself. He knew he had to and he knew the Trump campaign did nothing wrong.
He is right about China, as well.
Sessions is making it very clear in the wake of the coronavirus that his opponent is unable to grasp the current situation, or the danger that China poses to the United States. He is showing he is prepared and experience does matter.
Coming off a week where Tuberville made comments that China was “on its knees” and something we should worry about another day, Sessions joined WVNN radio on Monday to explain why Tuberville is wrong on this, and why him being wrong is so dangerous.
Sessions sees the threat from China as real and requiring real solutions.
He told “The Dale Jackson Show,” “If you’re not prepared to stand up to them, you’ll never win. You’ll continue on the same path we’ve been.”
It seems incredibly obvious to point this out. China has been cheating the United States for decades, now it is killing us.
Sessions highlighted that he argued with now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other Senate Republicans that they needed to get tough on China or they’d take advantage of the world.
He nailed it.
In Sessions’ time as attorney general, the DOJ went after China regularly, opening investigations of Chinese nationals, which resulted in over 50 prosecutions.
Sessions also trained his fire on his opponent, saying Tuberville is “oblivious to the reality of the situation” and explaining this virus is an opportunity for us to “see how they think and operate.”
Right again.
Sessions further warned that this is a big moment for America, calling it “a Sputnik moment for us” and continuing to note that this is an opportunity for the world “to see that China has been getting away with things that they should never be allowed to get away with.”
“And we can stop them if we work together,” he added.
My takeaway:
The former senator is showing just how important he thinks this moment is and the opportunity we have to put China in its place if we act now.
The former football coach is letting you know that he isn’t a politician, which, truthfully, is pretty clear. No politician would run this busted play.
The differences in policy on China between the two Republican candidates for U.S. Senate should be a deciding factor come July 14.
Sessions gets it. Tuberville doesn’t.
I know when I go to the doctor, I don’t ask the receptionist to help me out.
Listen:
Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 am weekdays on WVNN.
