CNN host Alisyn Camerota expressed amusement in response to newly sworn-in Sen. Tina Smith (D., Minn.) on Monday, explaining her "optimism" as a new member of Congress was atypical for lawmakers.
The "New Day" host asked Smith during her first national television interview about plans for a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program replacement. Camerota questioned what Democrats should do when both parties claim they want a solution for the illegal immigrants currently protected under DACA, but Republicans won’t budge on the building of a border wall promised by President Donald Trump.
"If Republicans agree and Democrats agree, then we ought to be able to come together. And that is where I’m going to be focused when I get up to Capitol Hill in a couple of hours," said Smith, who has only been serving in the Senate for five days.
Camerota was pleasantly surprised talking to a "newbie" and hearing an optimistic point of view from a member of Congress that was not yet jaded by the politics on Capitol Hill.
"It’s funny talking to you newbies, the optimism that you still have," Camerota said. "It hasn’t been beaten out of you yet by Capitol Hill."
Smith was the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota when she was appointed to take over Sen. Al Franken’s (D., Minn.) Senate seat after he stepped down in response to multiple sexual harassment allegations.