Playing politics

Kellyanne Conway says she's just a 'concerned citizen' with doubts about Mitt Romney

While insisting she would respect President-elect Donald Trump's decision, whatever it may be, top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway on Sunday made clear in an interview with CNN she does not approve of Mitt Romney as a possible choice for secretary of state.

"I'm all for party unity, but I'm not sure we have to pay for that with the secretary of state position," Conway told Dana Bash, adding, "I'm hearing from people who say, 'Hey, my parents died penniless but I gave $216 to Donald Trump's campaign and I would feel betrayed [if Romney is nominated].'"

Conway made the same point speaking with NBC's Chuck Todd on Meet the Press Sunday. "Why are you campaigning against Mitt Romney as secretary of state?" Todd asked. "I'm not campaigning against anyone," Conway answered. "I'm just a concerned citizen."

Why Conway is sharing these grievances publicly is unclear; she said on Twitter she has already addressed the issue with Trump in private. One theory suggests Conway uses her television appearances to influence the president-elect, who is known to be a devoted viewer of cable news. Watch Conway's comments at CNN below. Bonnie Kristian