Ever since the GOP's failure to capture the popular vote for five of the last six presidential elections, many Republicans framed their issue as a messaging problem: If only they explained their antiquated anti-woman, anti-immigrant, anti-minority, anti-LGBT views better, voters would embrace them. Then that tiny messaging flaw
turned into this: "If we just change who's asking the questions, our answers will be golden."
Let's check in with reporter Jon Ward on how that's working for 'em at CPAC 2015, where all the interviewers are conservative stalwarts.
[Laura] Ingraham’s session with Christie heavily focused on Christie’s vulnerabilities — his recent political struggles, his volatile temperament and his changes of position — while Hannity’s briefer interview with Cruz was marked by an awkward exchange over former President Bill Clinton’s libido. And Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker gave an ill-advised answer to a totally innocuous foreign policy question, an unforced error.
Hard to believe Republican candidates are stumbling … seemed like such a surefire plan.
The irony here is that because all these interviewers are ideological firebrands, their questions will inevitably pull the candidates further right—a terrible proposition for the general election. Like in this exchange where Ingraham pesters Christie about his support for Common Core education standards.
Ingraham then asked Christie why he had signed on to Common Core in 2010, forcing him to admit he regretted doing so. She pressed even further. “Not political regrets? These are regrets, real regrets?”
“Well these are implementation regrets,” Christie said.
This is only going to get better over the coming months. Thanks Reince, for your
masterful stewardship of the RNC.