RNC Chair Defends Trump: ‘I Ask People Who They Vote For Sometimes’

Ronna Romney McDaniel, then chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, leads a panel of Republican women to discuss the topic "All Issues are Women's Issues," at the Sheraton hotel on Sept. 19, 2016 in Novi, Mich. (Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press/TNS)
Ronna Romney McDaniel, then chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, leads a panel of Republican women to discuss the topic "All Issues are Women's Issues," at the Sheraton hotel on Sept. 19, 2016 in Novi, Mich. ... Ronna Romney McDaniel, then chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, leads a panel of Republican women to discuss the topic "All Issues are Women's Issues," at the Sheraton hotel on Sept. 19, 2016 in Novi, Mich. (Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press/TNS via Getty Images) MORE LESS
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The chairwoman of the Republican National Committee said Wednesday that President Donald Trump was just making conversation when he asked the acting FBI director who he voted for.

According to the New York Times and the Washington Post on Tuesday, Trump asked then-acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe who he voted for shortly after the President fired James Comey as FBI director.

McCabe’s wife, Jill McCabe, ran for the Virginia state senate in 2015 and received a large donation from the super PAC affiliated with Terry McAuliffe, then the state’s governor and a Hillary Clinton ally. Republicans, led by Trump, have seized on the donation to attack McCabe.

McCabe reportedly told the President he didn’t vote.

“I know this is a big story, I think it’s just a conversation,” RNC chair Ronna McDaniel told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota Wednesday. “I don’t think it intends [sic] all these terrible things that people are trying to put forward.”

“But was it inappropriate?” Camerota asked.

“I don’t know, I ask people who they vote for sometimes,” McDaniel said. “I think it’s just trying to get to know somebody, I don’t think the intentions are as bad as are being put out.”

Camerota pressed: “You don’t think it’s that President Trump thinks that if anybody voted for a Democrat, they cannot do their jobs impartially?”

“I don’t think so,” McDaniel said. “I really don’t think so. He’s certainly not going around to every single FBI agent and saying, ‘Did you vote for me?’ It’s a conversation. He had someone in his office. He kept people on who I know— I’m sure he thinks didn’t support him. I mean, this is a President who’s just getting to know people and that’s part of those conversations.”

In fact, Trump has shown a consistent pattern of expecting loyalty from those he believes to be his underlings. James Comey swore under oath that Trump asked for his loyalty when they met alone in the Oval Office. Trump has denied doing so. Trump also reportedly personally interviewed potential U.S. attorneys for New York.

Watch below:

H/t Mediaite

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Notable Replies

  1. Yeah, sure, I might ask friends or colleagues too (although most of the time I already know or have a good idea).

    I would never think of asking someone who was in any way subordinate to me, in case they felt under pressure or intimidated.

    That’s the difference here.

  2. He’s certainly not going around to every single FBI agent and saying, ‘Did you vote for me?’
    Only because he didn’t have time
    A loyalty oath would be acceptable though
    Amirite Donnie

  3. "…this is a President who’s just getting to know people and that’s part of those conversations.”

    Seems legit. Maybe Trump asks female WH staff "Commando, or briefs?". You know, just in an effort to get to know them.
  4. Oh FFS In this political climate you cant even ask that in casual conversation lest fist fights break out.
    In my group of acquaintances it is just not discussed any more unless it is with friends who are Dems

  5. You have friends that are not Dems?!

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