A CNN panel erupted on Tuesday after a journalist claimed Republicans voters, including parents concerned about curricula on race and gender, were on a “continuum” with White nationalists.

According to a new CNN poll, 61% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the country’s diversity enriches American culture, while 38% consider increased diversity a “threat.”

And 78% of Republican Americans said the country’s values on sexual orientation and gender identity were changing for the worse.

Speaking to the poll, “CNN Newsroom” host Brianna Keilar asked CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings whether these numbers would continue to “shoehorn” Republicans into playing “footsie” with White nationalism.

“I totally reject the idea that the Republican Party is based on or playing footsie with or has anything to do with White nationalism. I think that’s completely wrong and you do not have to do anything with it in order to be the Republican nominee,” Jennings responded.

Jennings added that there are “legitimate concerns” raised by Republicans about corporate endeavors and cultural touchstones and rejected the idea that those who oppose aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are in bed with White nationalism.

“I don’t really accept the premise of that idea,” he said.

Later in the discussion, The Atlantic senior editor Ron Brownstein said it is a “continuum” and that while most Americans do not accept the tenants of “outright White nationalism,” the Republican coalition is focused on voters who are most “uneasy” about how the country is changing.

Citing statistics on Republican concerns about discrimination against White Americans and men “being punished” for acting masculine, Brownstein said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is appealing to those anxieties {snip}

{snip}