Chris Sununu, the Republican Governor of New Hampshire, found himself facing a hostile audience on “The View” as he discussed his stance on guns and mental health care. When Joy Behar asked about his plans to address gun violence, Sununu made it clear that he wouldn’t support a gun prohibition but would prioritize improving access to mental health services.
The response from the audience was a chorus of boos, prompting Whoopi Goldberg to intervene and urge the viewers not to boo their guests. Behar even warned that if the booing continued, Republicans would stop appearing on the show altogether.
Goldberg emphasized the importance of having conversations and allowing people to express their views, even if they differ from our own. She thanked Sununu for being a guest on the show, recognizing that it takes courage to share one’s perspective.
Considering a potential presidential bid, Sununu has been advocating for the Republican Party to move beyond its association with former President Trump. He pointed out that if Democrats truly wanted to ban certain firearms, they had the opportunity to do so during the two years they controlled Congress and the White House, but nothing was accomplished.
Co-host Sunny Hostin acknowledged the mistake made by Democrats in failing to take action on gun control during that time. Goldberg also questioned Sununu on why Republicans oppose a ban on AR-15s. In response, Sununu reiterated that if it were as simple as implementing a ban, the Democrats would have done it already.
Looking ahead to a potential 2024 presidential campaign, Sununu expressed confidence in gaining significant early financial support. He noted that fundraising wouldn’t be an issue and anticipated backing from a wide range of donors. While he acknowledged that forming a committee or an exploratory committee would be a consideration, he emphasized that fundraising was the least of his worries.
Goldberg reminded the audience of a previous incident where they booed another Republican guest, Kellyanne Conway, in 2022. She urged them to listen to different perspectives and refrain from booing based on personal disagreements.
In the end, the discussion on “The View” highlighted the importance of respectful dialogue, the need for open-mindedness, and the challenges faced by politicians when discussing contentious issues like guns and mental health care.