Donald Trump campaign chief chides Obama for 'glib' response to Trump's dire assessment of black America
Donald Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, was on ABC's This Week Sunday morning, and host George Stephanopoulos asked her about Monday night's debate, the role of debate moderators, whether Trump would apologize for his "birther" crusade ("that's a very personal thing"), and President Obama's response to Trump's assertion that "our African American communities are absolutely in the worst shape they've ever been in before. Ever, ever, ever." On Friday, Obama told ABC News: "I think even most 8-year-olds will tell you that whole slavery thing wasn't very good for black people. Jim Crow wasn't very good for black people."
"So are African American communities really in the worst shape they've ever been?" Stephanopoulos asked. "Seems to me that everything that Donald Trump is saying — and it's too bad that the president is so glib about these issues," Conway said, and Stephanopoulos jumped in: "The president's glib about race issues?" "No, no, no," Conway said, "he was very — he — no, George, he was just very glib about what the — you know, calling — referring to an 8-year old." Trump wants to rebuild inner cities, "tackling full-on poverty and joblessness and homelessness in the inner cities and crime," especially in Chicago, she said. "And we're not going to have a serious conversation about crime in the inner cities?"
Obama, of course, has been having that conversation for years, even if Trump has not been a part of it, but Conway said she thinks "Donald Trump should also be applauded for actually trying to make a difference in these communities." On the debates, Conway said that she thinks all the moderators will be great, including NBC's Lester Holt, but "I really don't appreciate campaigns thinking it is the job of the media to go and be these virtual fact-checkers and that these debate moderators should somehow do their bidding." When Stephanopoulos asked about Trump's big lead over Clinton in documented lies, Conway said that polls show voters trust Trump more than Clinton.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I can understand why the Clinton camp is very nervous, because Donald Trump's got great presence, stature, he's a brilliant debater," Conway said. "Newt Gingrich put it best. The former speaker recently said Donald Trump is the best debater he's ever seen, he's like the Babe Ruth of debating, he shows up and swings does a great job." When Stephanopolous asked about Trump's suggestion he would invite purported former Bill Clinton mistress Gennifer Flowers to the debate, since rescinded, Conway said that Trump "wants to remind people that he's a great counter-puncher. They started this one by saying they would give a front-row seat to Mark Cuban — who by the way, until very recently [felt] very favorable toward Donald Trump and his candidacy." Despite Trump's tweet, Flowers "has not been invited by the campaign," Conway said. "She has a right to be there if somebody else gives her a ticket."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 16, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - pointed commentary, Haiti in trouble, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the RNC's MAGA takeover
Cartoons Artists take on RNC funding, Lara Trump, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump's presidential run: a bad bet for Republicans?
Talking Point The GOP is taking a 'big gamble' on former president's 2024 White House bid
By The Week UK Published
-
Russians start to vote in election Putin will win
speed read Putin's opponents are mostly in prison, exiled or dead
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Schumer slams Netanyahu, calls for new leader
speed read The senator — one of Israel's most avid supporters — criticized the country's handling of the Gaza war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Dakota governor sued over Texas dentist promo
speed read Gov. Kristi Noem posted a video testimonial that may have been an "undisclosed advertisement"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hur defends description of Biden's 'poor memory'
speed read Former special counsel Robert Hur defended disparaging remarks made about Biden's age in his report
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pentagon's surprise $300M for Ukraine
speed read The Pentagon is giving $300 million worth of military aid to Ukraine, mostly for ammunition
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump clinch nominations
speed read The current and former president have each secured enough delegates for an election rematch
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti leader agrees to exit amid growing chaos
speed read Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies fold RNC into Trump campaign
speed read The new leaders of the Republican National Committee fired more than 60 of the RNC's 200 employees
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published