CNN’s Scott Jennings on Monday expressed his bewilderment of “No Kings” protesters using their energy on protesting rather than knocking on doors in Virginia and New Jersey, two states holding gubentorial elections this November. “I just happen to think if I were Democrats, I would rather have directed that energy into the campaigns that are going on this year instead of marching around the way they did,” Jennings advised. “But listen, you got to spend your time however you want as a free country, not a monarchy,” Jennings added.

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN HOST: What Senator Ted Cruz took away though from what we saw this weekend. Listen to what he said today. SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): Unquestionably, we should take political peril seriously. There is a lot of energy. There is a lot of anger on the left, and elections can be dangerous when one side is mobilized, is angry. I’ll tell you in terms of fundraising, the Democrats are raising a lot more money because their radicals hate Trump so much, and look, angry, energized voters show up to vote. COLLINS: I mean, these protests were massive. Does he have a point there in terms of energy that is being felt by voters and the ones who show up to vote? SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN COMMENTATOR: Yeah, look, he’s right to worry about every election. He’s right to worry about the political opposition. And there is obviously energy in opposing Donald Trump. Of course, there was energy in opposing him last year, and he won the election. One of the things the Republican Party has yet to prove that it can figure out is how to get people who vote for Trump to turn out in midterm elections. That is a concern rolling for the Republican Party. So, of course, you take nothing for granted in politics. I would point out, though, they would have had a better use of their time this weekend, knocking on doors in Virginia or New Jersey than, you know, marching around the mall or whatever in crazy cat costumes this weekend. But that’s how they chose to use their time. But Ted Cruz, and every Republican knows, you take nothing for granted, and the next election could bring peril. And Republicans have to look at what the Democrats are doing and say, we’re not going to let them have more energy than us. I mean, that’s a truism for every election. KAREN FINNEY, CNN COMMENTATOR: So, Scott, you’re saying that Americans who decide they want to take to the streets and make their voices heard because they feel like their president is not listening to them. And frankly, in some instances, I said we’re the enemy simply because we disagree with them. You’re saying that’s not a good use of time. You’re criticizing these people who went out to, you know, be Americans and say they love their country and want their president to listen to them. That’s not a good use of time. That’s outrageous. JENNINGS: Well, no, I mean, normal people were spending time with their family and watching college football. FINNEY: Families actually came — turned out together. JENNINGS: I don’t care how they spend their time. If they want to go out and protest, be my guest. They’re welcome to do it. And I don’t really care whether they do it or not. But I just happen to think if I were Democrats, I would rather have directed that energy into the campaigns that are going on this year instead of marching around the way they did. But listen, you got to spend your time however you want as a free country, not a monarchy.

RealClearPolitics Videos