‘I’m Gonna Try 1 More Time’: Journalist Can’t Get Straight Answer Out Of GOP Lawmaker About Campaigning With Trump
Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) repeatedly dodged questions about whether he wants President Donald Trump to campaign for him ahead of the midterm elections,
Appearing on Thursday’s edition of NBC News’ “Meet the Press NOW,” Wittman was asked directly by host Ryan Nobles if he wanted Trump to come to his district to campaign with him.
This was Wittman’s reply:
Well Ryan, listen, I’m very focused on our campaign plan, getting out and talking to the folks in the 1st Congressional District, making the argument about the things that we’ve been able to accomplish, the things that are yet to be done. We still have things to work on. There are still things that are very important to families and businesses in the 1st Congressional District, so, my focus is on those things and getting those things done and having those conversations with folks and taking their ideas about the things they want to see us do here in Washington, and making sure we make those things come to reality.
Nobles continued to press the issue with the congressman.
“But would part of your campaign plan be to have an event with the president? To bring him to your district? To talk to your constituents about those concerns you have?” Nobles asked.
“Well, my campaign plan is about our efforts to talk with our constituents and do everything that we can to meet with them, as many as we can, face to face, to listen to them, to hear the concerns that they have and to take their thoughts and ideas as we go forward and the things yet to be done, but also to let them know the things that we’ve worked on, the things we’ve been able to accomplish for them that make life better in the 1st Congressional District,” Wittman said.
Nobles gave the congressman one more chance to give him a direct answer.
“All right, I’m gonna try one more time. Do you want the president to campaign for you?” Nobles said.
“As I said, our campaign plan is focused on my interactions with my constituents and the things that we’ve worked on there, those communications. That’s, that’s what I’m focused on,” Wittman responded.
“OK, so I’m gonna, we’re gonna mark that down as ‘not yes,’ at the very least, Congressman,” Nobles concluded.
Watch Nobles grill Wittman below:
Wittman also said that he would be in his district in Virginia during next week’s Republican midterm convention in Dallas, where Trump is expected to deliver remarks on both nights of the event.
Wittman will try to hold his seat against Democratic Henrico County prosecutor Shannon Taylor.