Dem
51
GOP
49
Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) is ready to be done with his current job. And yet, he appeared on ABC's This Week over the weekend, where he wilted under questioning from George Stephanopoulos. Specifically, Sununu was asked about the hypocrisy of two publicly stated positions: (1) that Donald Trump is guilty of insurrection against the United States and (2) that he (Sununu) supports Donald Trump for president. The exact question was this: "You believe that a president who contributed to an insurrection should be president again?"
And here is how Sununu answered:
As does 51 percent of America, George. I mean, really, I understand you're part of the media. I understand you're in this New York City bubble or whatever it is. But you've got to look around at what's happening across this country. It's not about just supporting Trump. It's getting rid of what we have today. It's about understanding inflation is crushing families. It's understanding that this border issue is not a Texas issue. It's a 50-state issue, right? That has to be brought under control. It's about that type of elitism that the average American is just sick and tired of. And it's a culture change. That's what I'm supporting.
Stephanopoulos followed up with, and got answers to, several questions about whether Trump should withdraw from the race if he's found guilty of one or more crimes. After that sequence, which lasted several minutes, the host summarized thusly:
So just to sum up, you support him for president even if he's convicted for classified documents. You support him for president even though you believe he contributed to an insurrection. You support him for president even though you believe he's lying about the last election. You support him for president even if he's convicted in the Manhattan case. I just want you to say the answer to that is yes, correct.
"Yeah," responded Sununu. "Me and 51 percent of America."
Who knew Trump had the support of a majority of Americans? Strange that he lost the popular vote by millions of votes in both of his elections if that is the case. In any event, Sununu wouldn't be doing so much press if he was not planning a future run for office. And he wouldn't be threading the MAGA needle if that office wasn't president. So, his intentions are clear here.
The problem is that Sununu is never, ever going to be embraced by the MAGA crowd. He's criticized Trump. He's said there was an insurrection. He's said the 2020 election wasn't stolen. He endorsed Nikki Haley. That ship has sailed. And now, thanks to his performance on Sunday, the "sane Republican" lane is closed to him as well. Does he not know that, when it comes to questions like the ones Stephanopoulos was asking, you have to remember the five D's: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge? This interview was so bad, we don't believe the Governor can ever live it down or put it behind him. If he tries to run in 2028 or 2032, this clip is guaranteed to resurface.
As a guy from a small state, and one who is out of step with the national party, Sununu was already a longshot presidential candidate. But now, he's a no shot candidate. He, Mike Pence and Nikki Haley should form a "Republicans without a lane" club. (Z)