A CNN interview with Republican National Committee strategist and spokesman Sean Spicer promptly turned tense Thursday when he was asked to defend presumptive nominee Donald Trump’s criticism of the nation’s first Latina woman governor.
Spicer went straight to attacking Democrat Hillary Clinton, cutting through the segment’s introductory small talk to say Clinton’s spokesman looked more uncomfortable trying to “spin” the inspector general’s report on Wednesday than he did after six root canals.
“You got there so quickly!” host Kate Bolduan laughed, before the anchors turned the talk to a discussion about Trump’s remarks that New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) was “not doing the job.”
Spicer said while Trump and Martinez differ on some policies, she’s a “phenomenal governor” and party unity is a far worse issue on the other side of the aisle.
“Sean, hang on, hang on, I want to stay on Susana Martinez,” CNN’s John Berman interrupted. Spicer continued on as Berman tried to cut him off, raising his hand and saying, “No, no, no!”
An exasperated Spicer shouted: “Let me just answer the question!”
“Go, Sean, go,” Bolduan said, prompting Spicer to wrap up his response.
Berman asked if Spicer would come to the governor’s defense if Trump had made the comments about a sitting Democrat.
“How?” Spicer asked.
“You would not defend the governor more than that? He said she’s done a bad job,” Berman clarified before an obviously frustrated Spicer interjected: “I just did!”
“No, no. But you asked me, hold on, no, what are you talking about, you asked me a question,” Spicer stumbled, reiterating the party is proud of Martinez, a Republican governor. “How much more defending do you want me to do of her?”
The hosts went on to ask Spicer about a recent interview with top Trump aide Paul Manafort, where he said Trump was unlikely to select a women or person of color as a running mate because it would be viewed as “pandering.”
Asked if he agreed with that assessment, Spicer said “no,” but argued Manafort’s words were taken out of context.
“Well, I think that people are twisting what his words were. His point is Donald Trump is not out to pander,” he said. “What you see on the other side, is, literally, pandering, the way that they’re lining up their VP.”
“I wasn’t taking Paul Manafort out of context, I was reading his words,” Bolduan said.
During Spicer’s response, his video feed abruptly went out, providing some comic relief to cut through the tension as Bolduan said: “Now that was not our fault. That was a technical difficulty. I don’t think it was Sean’s fault either.”
After the feed came back up, Spicer said he would welcome a debate between Trump and Sanders, but accused Clinton of not keeping a promise to debate Sanders in California.
“But do remember, Donald Trump also did not debate, at least once, because he just didn’t want to,” Bolduan cracked.
After Spicer replied Trump never promised he would participate, Bolduan laughed out loud and jokingly shouted, “They all agreed to these debates, Sean!” before trying to end the interview.
“That’s just not true, though!” Spicer began again, before the hosts cut away for live coverage of House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaking.
Watch the full interview, captured by TPM:
