Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, on Sunday continued to warn Trump against nominating Mitt Romney as secretary of state, arguing that the President-elect would disappoint his base.
During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Conway said she hopes that Romney would be a loyal secretary of state to Trump, but said that many “feel betrayed to think that Gov. Romney would get the most prominent Cabinet post after he went so far out of his way to hurt Donald Trump.”
“It’s just breathtaking in scope and intensity the type of messages I’ve received from all over the country,” Conway said.
She told CNN that she would support Trump if he chose Romney, but said she “felt compelled to come forward on behalf of the people who were weighing in.”
Conway noted that Romney “attacked” Trump’s “character” and questioned what his qualifications were to serve as the nation’s top diplomat.
“Gov. Romney in the past four years ― has he been around the globe doing something for the United States of which we are unaware? Did he go and intervene in Syria where they are having a massive humanitarian crisis?” she asked. “Has he been helpful to Mr. Netanyahu?”
“I’m all for party unity, but I’m not sure we have to pay for that with the secretary of state position,” Conway added.
Conway’s Sunday comments follow tweets Conway published on Thanksgiving noting that Trump loyalists were warning against nominating Romney to be secretary of state.
After her Sunday interview on CNN, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough went after Conway for launching a public attack on Romney and criticized her for trying to “intimidate” Trump.
So Rudy tells the world what position he will and will not accept from Trump while Kellyanne attacks Trump’s choices in public.
Wow.— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) November 27, 2016
Giuliani and Conway are trying to intimidate the President Elect.
How weak do they think he is?
Their lack of discretion is embarrassing.— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) November 27, 2016
Now all world leaders will be watching to see if a President Trump can be bullied by his staff.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) November 27, 2016
In response, Conway told Scarborough that she respects Trump.
1/2: @JoeNBC you know better. And so does @PEOTUS. He has my respect, loyalty, service & private counsel BC he is brilliant, strong,resolute https://t.co/c7RLZu5gvc
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) November 27, 2016
2/2: repeating 100th time decision is his & I’ll respect it. Whatever your feud w/ Rudy, no need to lump us. I already have the job I want. https://t.co/c7RLZu5gvc
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) November 27, 2016
Watch Conway’s interview on CNN:
