The brief yet tense exchange between former New Hampshire Governor John Sununu and CNN Anchor Alisyn Camerota was too much to ignore.
Last month, I faced questions about President Trump from Alisyn Camerota for her "New Day" program. For this segment, she invited the former Governor to talk about John McCain.
And yet, she seemed more interested in talking about Donald Trump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnC0seSAYSg
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: So joining us now to talk about the legacy of John McCain is former New
Hampshire Governor John Sununu. He was chief of staff to President George H.W.
Bush.
Hampshire Governor John Sununu. He was chief of staff to President George H.W.
Bush.
Good morning, governor.
JOHN SUNUNU (R), FORMER NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR: Good morning, Alisyn. How
are you?
are you?
CAMEROTA: Well, I'm well.
Oh, my gosh, just remembering how much time John McCain invested in New
Hampshire and how much he loved the retail politics there and the mixing it up
and the stump speeches. You know, Jeff Jacobi, in "The Boston Globe"
this morning, calls him New Hampshire's third senator. What are your thoughts?
The segment begins well enough, focused on Presidential aspirant McCain's attempts to ecome Chief Executive, twice. He worked New Hampshire very hard, and he won the state both times.
Hampshire and how much he loved the retail politics there and the mixing it up
and the stump speeches. You know, Jeff Jacobi, in "The Boston Globe"
this morning, calls him New Hampshire's third senator. What are your thoughts?
The segment begins well enough, focused on Presidential aspirant McCain's attempts to ecome Chief Executive, twice. He worked New Hampshire very hard, and he won the state both times.
SUNUNU: That's very accurate. You know, if you're involved in politics
at all in New Hampshire, you certainly do get to know at least on some level
those who are running for president. And John McCain grew to embrace the style
of campaigning that works well in New Hampshire.
at all in New Hampshire, you certainly do get to know at least on some level
those who are running for president. And John McCain grew to embrace the style
of campaigning that works well in New Hampshire.
The last time I saw him, for any significant amount of time, was when
he came up to campaign for Kelly Ayotte in 2016. And we spent a full day — I
was trying to help my son, Chris, who was running for governor, and the four of
us spent a full day in a van crossing the state, hitting a number of events.
And to listen to John talk in that van about how wonderful his experiences were
up here, you knew this was someone that had truly connected with the state. He
loved the campaigning, the face to face campaigning. He loved being challenged
with questions at the town hall.
he came up to campaign for Kelly Ayotte in 2016. And we spent a full day — I
was trying to help my son, Chris, who was running for governor, and the four of
us spent a full day in a van crossing the state, hitting a number of events.
And to listen to John talk in that van about how wonderful his experiences were
up here, you knew this was someone that had truly connected with the state. He
loved the campaigning, the face to face campaigning. He loved being challenged
with questions at the town hall.
It's worth noting that Kelly Ayotte, who had joined herself with the Establishment wing of the GOP along with John McCain and Lindsey Graham, ended up losing her re-election bid in New Hampshire. She refused to support President Trump after the "Grabber Gate" recording hit the public. The candidates running for US Senate who disavowed Trump after those private remarks went public never recovered.
[08:35:07] And as we went from event to event, it was obvious he
remembered people at each one of those events from the previous campaigns and
loved to chat with them about how they had come together over the years. So he
really did embrace the New Hampshire see me, touch me, feel me style of
campaigning and grew to love the people that helped him.
remembered people at each one of those events from the previous campaigns and
loved to chat with them about how they had come together over the years. So he
really did embrace the New Hampshire see me, touch me, feel me style of
campaigning and grew to love the people that helped him.
CAMEROTA: You're just reminding me of something from the Straight Talk
Express. So I was on it — on the bus with him in 1999. And, you know, I went
to many of his stump speeches. So he would sometimes replay his greatest hits,
you know, and some of his favorite jokes. And one of them that I'm just
reminded of is that he said that he overheard two women in New Hampshire
talking after one of his stump speeches and one said to the other, what do you
think of Senator McCain? And the other one said, I don't know, I've only met
him three times. And he used to — that one brought the house down.
An old joke, often repeated. At least John McCain was funny to some people–but CNN has a similar schtick, and no one finds them funny at all.
Express. So I was on it — on the bus with him in 1999. And, you know, I went
to many of his stump speeches. So he would sometimes replay his greatest hits,
you know, and some of his favorite jokes. And one of them that I'm just
reminded of is that he said that he overheard two women in New Hampshire
talking after one of his stump speeches and one said to the other, what do you
think of Senator McCain? And the other one said, I don't know, I've only met
him three times. And he used to — that one brought the house down.
An old joke, often repeated. At least John McCain was funny to some people–but CNN has a similar schtick, and no one finds them funny at all.
SUNUNU: Yes, that's — John had about five jokes that he loved to
repeat.
repeat.
CAMEROTA: I know.
SUNUNU: And, in fact, let you know he was going to repeat them. So he
used them well and it got to a point where the audience felt deprived if he
didn't tell the same joke the next time they saw him that he had said the
previous time.
used them well and it got to a point where the audience felt deprived if he
didn't tell the same joke the next time they saw him that he had said the
previous time.
Look, this was —
CAMEROTA: No, I totally agree, they didn't get old. I agree, having
heard them many times. He delivered them with the same verve and novelty each
time.
Here's something else about John McCain which I had not know, which made him somewhat more endearing, at least as a Presidential candidate. For the record, I did vote for him in the 2008 General Election, even though I had supported Mitt Romney in the June primary.
heard them many times. He delivered them with the same verve and novelty each
time.
Here's something else about John McCain which I had not know, which made him somewhat more endearing, at least as a Presidential candidate. For the record, I did vote for him in the 2008 General Election, even though I had supported Mitt Romney in the June primary.
SUNUNU: Yes. And, you know, he had an interesting take on the town
halls. He almost felt that he was deprived if somebody didn't ask him a tough
challenging question. Not somebody that he felt was trying to provoke him, but
somebody that was trying to really find something out about an issue and he
loved taking that opportunity to explain the details of something that was
important.
Too bad that McCain didn't govern with the same kind of personable panache for Arizona in Washington DC.
halls. He almost felt that he was deprived if somebody didn't ask him a tough
challenging question. Not somebody that he felt was trying to provoke him, but
somebody that was trying to really find something out about an issue and he
loved taking that opportunity to explain the details of something that was
important.
Too bad that McCain didn't govern with the same kind of personable panache for Arizona in Washington DC.
The person that knew him best up in New Hampshire, of course, is
Senator Ayotte. John McCain embraced Senator Ayotte when she got elected. He
kind of brought her in as part of the three amigos with Senator Lindsey Nelson
and himself. And he worked with her on the committees and tried to make sure
that she really was treated in a way that allowed her to grow in the Senate.
And he — she really, I think, became his closest New Hampshire ally.
Ayotte should not have embraced John McCain at all. She should have embraced President Trump.
Senator Ayotte. John McCain embraced Senator Ayotte when she got elected. He
kind of brought her in as part of the three amigos with Senator Lindsey Nelson
and himself. And he worked with her on the committees and tried to make sure
that she really was treated in a way that allowed her to grow in the Senate.
And he — she really, I think, became his closest New Hampshire ally.
Ayotte should not have embraced John McCain at all. She should have embraced President Trump.
CAMEROTA: So, governor, what do you think about President Trump
rejecting the practice of putting out an official White House statement about
John McCain's service and sacrifice?
Here we go. At this part, the interview got tense but very engaging for us conservatives who are tired of CNN (Clinton News Network) repeatedly attacking our President.
rejecting the practice of putting out an official White House statement about
John McCain's service and sacrifice?
Here we go. At this part, the interview got tense but very engaging for us conservatives who are tired of CNN (Clinton News Network) repeatedly attacking our President.
SUNUNU: Look, that was printed in "The Washington Post," and
I have to be honest with you, I don't give much credence to what I read.
I have to be honest with you, I don't give much credence to what I read.
CAMEROTA: We also have that reporting.
SUNUNU: Yes, well, same thing applies, Alisyn.
BAM! I loved this. This transcript won't convey the shocked look on Camerota's face. I saw something vaguely similar when I told her that CNN's ratings were in the tank. People don't want to watch non-stop anti-Trump mania, especially when it's deliberately misleading and clearly false.
BAM! I loved this. This transcript won't convey the shocked look on Camerota's face. I saw something vaguely similar when I told her that CNN's ratings were in the tank. People don't want to watch non-stop anti-Trump mania, especially when it's deliberately misleading and clearly false.
CAMEROTA: Governor, you come on CNN and we appreciate you coming on CNN
and we appreciate your take on it. But I don't appreciate you denigrating our
reporting. I think that you know we have excellent reporters here. But are you
saying that you don't want to believe that? You don't want to believe that
President Trump would do that about John McCain?
I … I … I. Hey, Alisyn. This interview is about John McCain, right? It's not supposed to be about you. Do you understand?
and we appreciate your take on it. But I don't appreciate you denigrating our
reporting. I think that you know we have excellent reporters here. But are you
saying that you don't want to believe that? You don't want to believe that
President Trump would do that about John McCain?
I … I … I. Hey, Alisyn. This interview is about John McCain, right? It's not supposed to be about you. Do you understand?
SUNUNU: I'm saying that I don't want to comment on a report that I
haven't satisfied myself is correct.
haven't satisfied myself is correct.
CAMEROTA: And if that report were true?
SUNUNU: I'm not going to answer the hypothetical.
Good for you, John Sununu!
Good for you, John Sununu!
CAMEROTA: It's not hypothetical. This is our reporting. We have rock
solid sources in the White House that there was a statement that drafted —
Wow! She doubles down on the network's shameless duplicity, but Sununu isn't having any of that.
solid sources in the White House that there was a statement that drafted —
Wow! She doubles down on the network's shameless duplicity, but Sununu isn't having any of that.
SUNUNU: Alisyn, Look, I came on — you asked me to come on to talk
about John McCain. I'm here to talk about John McCain as I remember him. I'm
not here to talk about the press's handling of a difference between the White
House and the press corps at this time.
He handles this conflict with such diplomatic tact and flair, something that Chris Cuomo, Brian Stetler, and the other hack "journalists" (in reality, propagandists)
about John McCain. I'm here to talk about John McCain as I remember him. I'm
not here to talk about the press's handling of a difference between the White
House and the press corps at this time.
He handles this conflict with such diplomatic tact and flair, something that Chris Cuomo, Brian Stetler, and the other hack "journalists" (in reality, propagandists)
CAMEROTA: It's not the press's handling. It's President Trump's
handling of John McCain's death.
LIE! Wow, this desperate need to cover up for the media bias, the desperation to justify their lies, their anti-Trump madness is just stunning to me.
handling of John McCain's death.
LIE! Wow, this desperate need to cover up for the media bias, the desperation to justify their lies, their anti-Trump madness is just stunning to me.
Sununu shows real class. More politicians should go on CNN. These corrupt, bigoted prima donnas make politicians look like real statesmen.
SUNUNU: OK. Look, John McCain was a great American who deserves to be
recognized as a great American. He is being recognized by his colleagues and of
friends — his friends around. Melania Trump has certainly put out an
exceptionally strong statement outlining the appreciation for his service. The
White House has recognized the sorrow of the family. And I think Americans
ought to be looking at the positive side, not trying to create a division
amongst people who are in joint sorrow mourning a great American.
recognized as a great American. He is being recognized by his colleagues and of
friends — his friends around. Melania Trump has certainly put out an
exceptionally strong statement outlining the appreciation for his service. The
White House has recognized the sorrow of the family. And I think Americans
ought to be looking at the positive side, not trying to create a division
amongst people who are in joint sorrow mourning a great American.
CAMEROTA: And are you satisfied that President Trump's statement goes
far enough?
far enough?
SUNUNU: I suspect there will be additional statements over time and I
think this effort to try and create a cleavage there really does disturb me. It
is, in fact, this kind of — it is, in fact —
Then Camerota gets really offended. The video conveys her sense of wounded pride. "This effort to try and create a cleavage …" Yes, the former Governor of New Hampshire directly calls out the unprincipled bias of Clinton News Network.
think this effort to try and create a cleavage there really does disturb me. It
is, in fact, this kind of — it is, in fact —
Then Camerota gets really offended. The video conveys her sense of wounded pride. "This effort to try and create a cleavage …" Yes, the former Governor of New Hampshire directly calls out the unprincipled bias of Clinton News Network.
CAMEROTA: Sorry, can you repeat that? Sorry, somebody was talking to
me. This effort to what?
"Someone was talking to me." Wow! Talk about unprofessional. Can one assume that Camerota wasn't listening in the first place? She was expecting a sharp exchange or long sequence of abusive rants against Trump.
me. This effort to what?
"Someone was talking to me." Wow! Talk about unprofessional. Can one assume that Camerota wasn't listening in the first place? She was expecting a sharp exchange or long sequence of abusive rants against Trump.
Didn't happen.
SUNUNU: Cleavage between the White House and the — and those that are
mourning John McCain. It is this effort by the press to accentuate the negative
that I think has created the climate that prevents, in the long term, the
bipartisanship that John McCain supported. And I don't want to be a part of
rubbing whatever salt there is in whatever wound there may be because I think
that just adds to the division.
![]("https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gct6ouY_7mI/W43VN1Zj-DI/AAAAAAABKRg/oiSDX4QLHgA7MHDTZmN6JiiPAO5GatGpwCLcBGAs/s320/CNN%2BSununu%2BInterview.PNG")
mourning John McCain. It is this effort by the press to accentuate the negative
that I think has created the climate that prevents, in the long term, the
bipartisanship that John McCain supported. And I don't want to be a part of
rubbing whatever salt there is in whatever wound there may be because I think
that just adds to the division.
![]("https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gct6ouY_7mI/W43VN1Zj-DI/AAAAAAABKRg/oiSDX4QLHgA7MHDTZmN6JiiPAO5GatGpwCLcBGAs/s1600/CNN%2BSununu%2BInterview.PNG")
It's stunning how the Governor kept effortlessly returning the discussion back to McCain. He took Camerota's brazen attempts to push a shameless political narrative and returned it to a more meaningful end.
[08:40:19] I'm here because I lost a good friend. I wanted to express
my concern about that. I wanted to applaud what he contributed to the country.
I wanted to underscore the relationship he had with the state of New Hampshire.
And I'm not here to play the political games that some of the press want to
play at this moment of what I think is great sorrow for the country.
Wow. Powerful moment. Such direct honesty, direct yet tactful and respectful.
my concern about that. I wanted to applaud what he contributed to the country.
I wanted to underscore the relationship he had with the state of New Hampshire.
And I'm not here to play the political games that some of the press want to
play at this moment of what I think is great sorrow for the country.
Wow. Powerful moment. Such direct honesty, direct yet tactful and respectful.
CAMEROTA: Just to be clear, we don't see it as a game. And to be clear,
the press didn't create whatever division exists that President Trump feels
that allowed him to spike the statement that General John Kelly wanted him to
put out about John McCain's sacrifice. The press didn't invent that.
Yes, they did, or at the very least they fanned this unrest.
the press didn't create whatever division exists that President Trump feels
that allowed him to spike the statement that General John Kelly wanted him to
put out about John McCain's sacrifice. The press didn't invent that.
Yes, they did, or at the very least they fanned this unrest.
SUNUNU: Alisyn, everybody — everybody — everybody reflects their
concerns in ways that are consistent with whatever they feel. I've expressed my
concern at the loss of John McCain, who I think was a great American. A great
American hero in the military. A great American hero in the political process.
And, frankly, great American hero on a personal level to people that knew him
well. And it is on those three levels that I sense the loss and I have
expressed my — my feelings of sorrow for him having passed and my expression
of feelings of sorrow for his personal family who lost him and for a country
who lost a great American hero.
I do not think McCain was a great hero at all. I despised the man. Yet Governor Sununu has a right to mourn the loss of his dear friend. He has a right to reminisce about the good times he shared with McCain, too.
concerns in ways that are consistent with whatever they feel. I've expressed my
concern at the loss of John McCain, who I think was a great American. A great
American hero in the military. A great American hero in the political process.
And, frankly, great American hero on a personal level to people that knew him
well. And it is on those three levels that I sense the loss and I have
expressed my — my feelings of sorrow for him having passed and my expression
of feelings of sorrow for his personal family who lost him and for a country
who lost a great American hero.
I do not think McCain was a great hero at all. I despised the man. Yet Governor Sununu has a right to mourn the loss of his dear friend. He has a right to reminisce about the good times he shared with McCain, too.
CAMEROTA: You're not alone, governor. So many people feel that way. So
many people echo that today. And that's why it is notable that the president
doesn't.
She just had to try one more time to bring in Trump. Sununu knew how to keep fighting it.
many people echo that today. And that's why it is notable that the president
doesn't.
She just had to try one more time to bring in Trump. Sununu knew how to keep fighting it.
SUNUNU: Well, I'm here to talk about my friend John McCain. You appear
to be here to talk about something that you think you can exploit. And I find
that rather unpleasant.
to be here to talk about something that you think you can exploit. And I find
that rather unpleasant.
BINGO! That word "exploit" was the perfect word. I am so glad that the Governor called her out like that. It was just perfect.
CAMEROTA: Governor, again, we don't have to try to exploit something.
This is a fact. This is a truism, that the —
This is a fact. This is a truism, that the —
SUNUNU: Well, why are you dwelling on it?
BAM!
BAM!
CAMEROTA: Because President —
SUNUNU: I have given you my comment —
CAMEROTA: And I would —
SUNUNU: I have given you my comments on it and I am here to talk about
John McCain.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
John McCain.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
CAMEROTA: Fair. And I just reject your premise that this is something
the press has created. It has been customary, probably since George Washington
was president, to honor a war hero.
Here we go again. Camerota makes the discussion about her and the media all over again. This is so shameful, this is so unbelievably in bad taste. These shameful media frauds have no regard for anyone but themselves.
the press has created. It has been customary, probably since George Washington
was president, to honor a war hero.
Here we go again. Camerota makes the discussion about her and the media all over again. This is so shameful, this is so unbelievably in bad taste. These shameful media frauds have no regard for anyone but themselves.
SUNUNU: And you should make — you should make your inquires directly
to the White House if you want a direct answer.
to the White House if you want a direct answer.
CAMEROTA: Governor John Sununu, we appreciate you coming on and giving
us your thoughts about what John McCain meant to you and to New Hampshire.
Notice how quickly
us your thoughts about what John McCain meant to you and to New Hampshire.
Notice how quickly
Thank you very much.
SUNUNU: It's a great loss for the country and for
the world.
the world.
CAMEROTA: Indeed.
Final Reflection
Alisyn Camerota ran into the Sununu buzz-saw. He took her down like a boss, he rightly shamed her for making the whole interview about Trump instead of John McCain. Sununu calmly rebuked Camerota, forced her to return to the subject of the deceased US Senator, and even when she insisted on taking jabs at President Trump, Sununu rightly rebuked her and the press as a whole.
Nice job, John Sununu!