Trump campaign manager politely mocks Bushes over ex-president's reported Hillary vote


There are some questions for which there are just no good answers — "Why did you marry that loser?" for example, or "Did you have fun at the brothel?" On CNN Tuesday evening, Erin Burnett posed a pretty no-win question to Donald Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, asking her if she had any reaction to the un-denied report that former President George H.W. Bush plans to vote for Hillary Clinton in November. Conway had some thoughts to share, and they were outwardly fairly polite.
Let's examine Conway's masterpiece of spin, with plausible translations.
"Well, I respect the 92-year-old former president very much and his decision, and I think Americans are very grateful to the Bush family for their public service. That's his right." — Bush is old, and his family is old news.
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.
"It is ironic that he would vote for the wife of the man who knocked him out of the race — Bill Clinton defeated George Herbert Walker Bush, Bush 41, Erin, in 1992 for his re-election." — Burnett isn't very well-informed, Bush is a loser, and "ironic" is a word invented by Alanis Morissette that means "something bad happened." (i.e. Isn't it ironic that Ronald Reagan's VP is voting for a Clinton over Donald Trump?)
"Ah, but look, this was a bruising primary, and Jeb Bush really failed all expectations that he would be the 'electable,' the predominant person on the stage. He lasted through South Carolina, got out of the race before March 1. So I know there are a lot of hurt feelings there. That is his right." — Bush is just ditching Trump out of familial spite, not because Trump opposes everything the GOP elder statesman has stood for.
"I think what is most disturbing about this report to me, Erin, is that someone divulged a private conversation — it doesn't seem like it was meant for public consumption. And that's always very bothersome to me." — Private conversations are different than Democratic emails hacked by Russians and leaked online.
That is a lot to pack into 50 seconds. Wouldn't it be ironic if the report turns out to be false?
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.
-
Trump hawks Teslas, slashes more federal jobs
Speed Read The Education Department cut its workforce in half ahead of an expected Trump order to shutter the agency
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine agrees to ceasefire, ending US aid freeze
Speed Read Kyiv made peace with the Trump administration by agreeing to an immediate ceasefire in its war against Russian invaders
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
ICE arrests Palestinian advocate with green card
Speed Read Recent Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil has had his visa revoked, despite his status as a permanent resident
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump doesn't rule out recession as tariffs bite
Speed Read In an interview for Fox News, Trump acknowledges the economic turbulence caused by his tariffs but claims his policies will be worth it in the long run
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mark Carney selected next Canadian prime minister
Speed Read The political novice will succeed outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump eases Mexico, Canada tariffs again as markets slide
speed read The president suspended some of the 25% tariffs he imposed on Mexican and Canadian imports
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tells Cabinet they are in charge of layoffs, not Musk
Speed Read The White House has faced mounting complaints about DOGE's sweeping cuts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rep. Sylvester Turner dies, weeks after joining House
Speed Read The former Houston mayor and longtime state legislator left behind a final message for Trump: 'Don't mess with Medicaid'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published