In a recent political discourse, Kellyanne Conway, a Fox News contributor and former Trump campaign manager, delivered a scathing critique of the Never Trump movement, suggesting that it played a significant role in the Democrats' electoral defeat.
The discussion took place at the New York Times' DealBook Summit, where a diverse panel of political figures dissected the reasons behind the Harris campaign's failure and the Trump campaign's successful appeal to the evolving American cultural landscape in 2024.
According to Fox News, Conway argued that the Democratic Party was out of sync with the public sentiment, stating, "The Democratic Party right now, every day they wake up it's still January 6, 2021, on the calendar." She further asserted that the election was a repudiation of 'wokeness,' with every state, barring Nebraska and Washington, leaning more towards the Republican side. Conway interpreted this as a clear mandate from the American people, who were seeking safety, security, affordability, and a retreat from foreign engagements under President Trump's leadership.
However, Conway contended that the anti-Trump Republicans were moving in a different direction. "I think the always-wrong Never Trumpers, who had unlimited money, cost the party, cost the Democratic Party, which they say they're not even a member, another presidential election," she said. This statement sparked a heated exchange with Sarah Longwell, publisher of the Never Trump news outlet The Bulwark and host of "The Focus Group" podcast.
Conway accused Longwell of suffering from "stage 5 Trump Derangement Syndrome," to which Longwell retorted that she believed Trump supporters were "bad people" who were detrimental to the country and had attacked the Constitution. The debate escalated, with both women talking over each other, prompting host Maggie Haberman to intervene.
Despite the heated exchange, Longwell did concede some of the Democratic Party's shortcomings in the election. She criticized the decision for President Biden to run for reelection and pointed out the Democrats' lack of a comprehensive plan on immigration, an issue of significant concern to voters. However, she also argued that the Republicans' victory was partly due to their ability to manipulate the media, branding Donald Trump as a "professional liar."
Conway responded by questioning whether Longwell was implying that the American public was gullible. Longwell clarified that she was referring to the Trump campaign's superior communication skills. The debate continued, highlighting the deep-seated divisions within the American political landscape.
While Conway played a pivotal role in Trump's 2016 campaign, she did not participate in the Trump-Vance 2024 campaign. Despite this, her insights and critiques provide a valuable perspective on the dynamics that shaped the 2024 election and the ongoing ideological battles within American politics.
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