The Big Lebowski succinctly captures Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s discussion about white nationalism with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “Well, that’s just, like, your opinion, man….” Unfortunately for Tuberville, words have meaning, and he didn’t choose the best ones. While Tuberville again chews on the foot in his mouth, Republicans have the unenviable task of explaining what Alabama’s senior senator really meant.

First, why on earth is Tuberville spending his time on CNN?

The 37 voters in Alabama who actually saw the original exchange between Collins and Tuberville pale in comparison to the millions of eyeballs now on derivative content from the exchange. Here are just a few of the hundreds of headlines dragging Tuberville:

• CNN – Tuberville refuses to denounce White nationalism in military, doubles down on past comments
• Washington Post – Sen. Tommy Tuberville refuses to agree white nationalists are racists
• Newsweek – Tommy Tuberville Says the Definition of White Nationalism Is an ‘Opinion’
• Mediaite – CNN Anchors Spend Morning Asking Republicans If White Nationalists Are Racist

That last one burns a little. Instead of talking about inflation, the politicization of the Department of Justice, or the fact that Joe Biden is in a state of rapidly accelerating mental and physical decline, Republicans get to defend Tuberville’s confusing interview.

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Being on live television or radio is challenging even for folks who do it regularly. There’s little about it that’s natural. Tuberville isn’t great at it. Most people aren’t. Hosts always control the environment. They’re the professionals in the space. Collins is no exception. She saw Tuberville begin to fumble and pressed him.

The worst part is that nobody in Alabama feels like Tuberville isn’t doing his job well because he’s not spending enough time on CNN. Trotting Tuberville into hostile territory with a sober view of his media challenges is political malpractice by his team.

Secondly, Tuberville had an excellent point that Democrats and members of the media slap the label of “white nationalists” on just about any group or individual they don’t like. The present liberal application of the term runs the gamut from the Ku Klux Klan to Moms for Liberty. When “white nationalist” is watered down to the point where it includes both a Grand Wizard of the Klan and a mom who rejects critical race theory, it has lost much of its proper meaning. The opportunity to make the argument was there, and he failed to capitalize.

The actual definition of “white nationalism” isn’t a matter of opinion. It’s an inherently racist interest in creating a white ethno-state. Tuberville should have said the term has been grossly misapplied to score cheap political points, but he didn’t do that.

“My opinion of a white nationalist, if somebody wants to call them a white nationalist, to me, is an American,” said Tuberville. “It’s an American. Now, if that white nationalist is a racist, I’m totally against anything that they want to do because I am 110 percent against racism.”

Tuberville somehow managed to give the impression that some white nationalists are racists and others have a “few probably different beliefs.” A non-racist white nationalist makes about as much sense as a round square or a married bachelor.

This isn’t difficult.

Sen. Katie Britt, for example, tackled the Tuberville media circus with exceptional clarity and brevity. “White supremacy and racism have absolutely no place in our country,” she said.

Tuberville is correct that Democrats stoke fears of racism and white nationalism for their political advantage. He also recognizes that identity politics are destructive for America. In fact, many of the senator’s policy perspectives connect quite well with folks he represents. The uncomfortable reality is that Tuberville can serve Alabama quite effectively outside the media limelight. If he does, Republicans spend more of their time forcing Democrats to explain what Biden really means.

Smith is a recovering political attorney with a house full of boys, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and an extremely patient wife. He’s a partner in a media company, a business strategy wonk, and a regular on talk radio. Please direct outrage or agreement to [email protected] or @DCameronSmith on Twitter.