In a discussion about guest and former Republican Representative David Jolly’s recent and stunning expressed hope that the Democratic Party take control of the House so as to leverage power against President Trump, Brian Williams gushed over how "smart" was the commentary of one race-baiting panelist.

The host of The 11th Hour with Brian Williams posed this question to left-wing MSNBC contributor Jason Johnson:

“What if I had told you a couple of years back that some day a former Republican congressman from the great state of Florida and some of his colleagues--named or not--would come to this judgment that actually having an opposite party in control of the House of Representatives may be a better check -- or a check, period -- over what we have now?”

Johnson replied that the Constitution does not sufficiently address the problematic impact of a president who is as “morally corrupted” and not “competent” as Donald Trump. Williams did not challenge Johnson’s disparaging portrayal of the President; instead, he pressed further:

“And, Jason, put another way--an excellent point on the lack of a mechanism in our government as you see it--there's no joy in the opposition party if Trump's Republican party splinters--as we've been saying for days--into this Bannon nationalist wing, that can't do great things in Washington where a working majority is needed.”

Johnson’s response was hardly surprising, for he is politics editor for “black news” publication The Root, which currently features such stories as “Should a Racist Grade Your Papers? Students Discover White Supremacists Teaching at Their Universities,” “Utah Cheerleaders Caught on Video Chanting Racial Slurs; School District Whitesplains Their Actions,” and “Donald Trump, White America’s Favorite Christian.” Johnson also recently accused Toys “R” Us of white supremacy.

Staying true to his race-baiting focus, he stated:

“When Steve Bannon--with his white nationalist and his white supremacist connections—is no longer considered an outside fringe person, but a viable political alternative and a supporter of candidates who will primary people across the country, that is a dangerous time. I hope that the Republican party recognizes that integrity and the sovereignty of this nation is more important than power. But so far I don't think they'll learn that lesson unless they get wiped out in 2018.”

Bannon, of course, has not been shown to have “white nationalist and…white supremacist connections.” But more stunning was Johnson’s wish for Republicans to “[recognize] that integrity…is more important than power.” You know—the thing the Democratic Party is so known for.

Even more inflammatory was Johnson’s suggestion that the Party of Lincoln is basically the Ku Klux Klan:

“I've always said…some of these arguments are sort of between the Ku Klux and the Klan, you know, you have such extremists on both sides…When the Republican party decides that Trumpism is a philosophy as opposed to representing the citizens of the United States, that is dangerous.”

Rather than challenging this offensive, asinine comparison, Williams actually praised his guest's insights. In signing off of the segment, he addressed both Jolly and Johnson thusly:

"Two really smart guys joining us tonight. If we didn't have a lot more smart people right behind you, we would fill the entire hour with this conversation. But, suffice to say, thank you both for coming on."

Williams seems to have a peculiar understanding of what constitutes "smart."