Mike Huckabee Praises Politico Story That Describes His Daughter as Someone Who Can ‘Deaden A Room’
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee sung the praises of a Politico article on his daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders for which he was interviewed.
Very interesting story about @PressSec that for Politico is pretty good! If you don’t read it you will be placed on the NO FLY LIST! The Puzzle of Sarah Huckabee Sanders https://t.co/KNGgu1R4jZ via @politicomag
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) April 27, 2018
But here’s the thing: It’s not exactly a flattering article.
“The president’s press secretary manages to deflect questions, flatly contradict facts and generally throw wet blankets over the countless fires burning around the administration of Donald Trump,” Jason Schwartz wrote for Politico.
In the piece, Sanders is characterized as “monotone” and incredibly adept at “beat[ing] back the press and squelch[ing] its enthusiasm.”
“Sanders possesses a unique talent that, heretofore, has not quite been considered a talent: She can deaden a room,” Schwartz wrote.
The piece goes on to explain that Sanders’ good relationship with the president hinges, in part, on her ability to change his mind without actually telling him he’s wrong.
“Typically, she does not bluntly disagree with him, but walks him through how the press might react to something. For instance, the official says, if Sanders objects to a strategy Trump has suggested, she might say, ‘Well, here’s what the follow-up question on that issue is going to be, so how would we answer that?'” one senior administration official explained.
Additionally, she does not stonewall reporters quite as much in private as she does in public. “She has a reputation for dealing honestly, typically waving them off inaccurate stories and not pushing back on true ones,” Schwartz wrote. “Some reporters—especially those from smaller outlets—complain that she ignores them and comes off as contemptuous, but others find her to be accessible and understanding of their role.”
Likely to the elder Huckabee’s delight, Schwartz also notes that “before every briefing, Sanders prays and reads from a book of devotions in her office overlooking the White House lawn.”
[image via screengrab]
