Does the Republican National Committee's spokeswoman not understand what primaries are?
Rep. Joe Crowley lost the Democratic primary Tuesday night in New York's 14th congressional district. Key word: Democratic.
The winner, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is a 28-year-old member of the Democratic Socialists of America who is calling for universal health care and the end of ICE. President Trump was quick to kick Crowley while he was down (well, singing), tweeting that the 10-term congressman was a "Big Trump Hater" and insinuating that had Crowley been "nicer, and more respectful, to his president," he would have won.
Seeing as how it was a Democratic primary in New York City, it's doubtful any negative comments Crowley may have made about Trump pushed anyone to vote for his opponents, especially someone to his left. That didn't stop Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany from retweeting Trump's remarks, and adding her own head-scratching commentary. "STUNNING!" she wrote. "That so-called blue wave? More like a red tsunami ..."
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.
Many people, including Politico's Jake Sherman, were confused as to how Crowley — from a heavily Democratic district — losing in his Democratic primary to a more progressive candidate was a win for the GOP. "What are you talking about," he asked. More tweets started rolling in, with most certain that McEnany thought Crowley lost to a Republican and had no idea this was a primary, and others pretty sure she doesn't even know what a primary is.
McEnany never clarified if she did, in fact, understand that this was a primary, instead declaring that the GOP is "celebrating this if you haven't noticed. As Democrats lurch toward the failed socialist platform of Bernie Sanders, our party's prospects of electoral success are secured for many years to come."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Roasted squash and apple soup recipeThe Week Recommends Autumnal soup is full of warming and hearty flavours
-
Ukraine: Donald Trump pivots againIn the Spotlight US president apparently warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Vladimir Putin’s terms or face destruction during fractious face-to-face
-
Autumn Budget: will Rachel Reeves raid the rich?Talking Point To fill Britain’s financial black hole, the Chancellor will have to consider everything – except an income tax rise
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
