Carly Fiorina Tells Megyn Kelly Why She Agreed To Be Cruz’s Running Mate, Doesn’t Have To Defend Her Singing — Yet
Carly Fiorina appeared on The Kelly File to discuss the news that she was now Ted Cruz’s running mate.
Kelly first drew attention to the fact that Donald Trump had criticized the announcement, and asked Fiorina for her response.
“Well of course, Donald Trump would say that,” Fiorina replied. “The only thing is, Donald Trump has not won this nomination yet. But as I said in this speech, this fight is about the soul of our party.”
Carly Fiorina: Trump and Clinton “Two Sides of the Same Coin”
The interview revealed a tactic that Cruz and Fiorina are likely to use in the coming weeks: twice in the six-minute interview, Fiorina declared that “Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are two sides of the same coin.”
She called Trump and Clinton “insiders” who are “virtually indistinguishable in their positions,” likely referring to their similar positions on healthcare, as well as their perceived histories of being political insiders.
Kelly then asked Fiorina about polls which say that most Republican voters think the person with the most delegates should receive the GOP nomination.
“A majority of Republican voters don’t want Donald Trump to be their nominee,” Fiorina replied, referring to the over 60 percent of Republican primary voters thus far who have voted for other candidates.
.@CarlyFiorina: “A majority of Republican voters don’t want @realDonaldTrump to be their nominee.” #KellyFile
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) April 28, 2016
“This isn’t over until someone reaches 1,237,” said Fiorina. “And no, close doesn’t count.”
When questioned about Trump’s growing support among Republicans, Fiorina cited Cruz’s endorsements by Mike Lee, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, and Lindsey Graham.
She also highlighted what she has in common with Ted Cruz, saying, “We are both conservatives. We agree on virtually every issue.”
Kelly closed by asking Fiorina about comments she made about Ted Cruz in 2015 — especially a CNN interview where she said that Cruz “says whatever he needs to say to get elected.”
Fiorina responded that it’s an “exaggeration” to say she “ripped him to shreds,” adding, “I’ve been with Ted Cruz the last seven weeks. He is who he says he is.”
.@CarlyFiorina on @tedcruz: "What I've come to know is a man who is what & who he says he is…he has convictions & principles & values…"
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 28, 2016
Earlier in the show, Kelly had Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), a Trump supporter. When asked about Cruz choosing Fiorina as his running mate, Sessions commented, “I think it’s very unusual and surprising.” He went on to suggest that the Cruz-Fiorina ticket was a “desperate” move.
Carly The Singer?
One element of the Cruz-Fiorina announcement that Kelly did not bring up is one that quickly went viral: when Fiorina sang part of a song she made up to Cruz’s two young daughters, Caroline and Catherine.
“I know two girls that I just adore, I’m so happy I can see them more, ‘cuz we travel on the bus all day, we get to play, we get to play!”
Fiorina then told those present, “I won’t bore you with any more of the song!”
? Carly Fiorina sings a tune after Ted Cruz announces that she'll be his running mate – should he win the nominationhttps://t.co/vbcHHDrXzZ
— BBC North America (@BBCNorthAmerica) April 27, 2016
Carly Fiorina Randomly Burst Into Song After She Became Ted Cruz’s Running Mate ? https://t.co/U7r2oSNKN9 https://t.co/gvyVwdhfnv
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) April 28, 2016
While Kelly did not bring it up, Carly Fiorina’s singing is likely to be a topic of discussion, judging by the reaction from internet news sources.
Can Fiorina Push Cruz Past Trump?“Texas senator Ted Cruz may be facing his very own Alamo” in Indiana, said Kelly, after Cruz lost in all five primary contests the night before.
There are 57 delegates at stake in the Indiana primary — 30 automatically go to the winner, while 27 are divided proportionately. A CBS News poll placed Cruz five points behind Trump, 40 percent to 35 percent, with 20 percent for Ohio governor John Kasich.
Hence, having Fiorina officially on his ticket gives her more authority as she campaigns in the “Hoosier State.”
Frank Luntz Group Leans Trump, Likes Carly
The Kelly File also featured a panel group hosted by pollster Frank Luntz. When he asked them if they were “bothered” by Cruz and Kasich’s move to combine their strengths to beat Trump, the majority raised their hands.
“This is politics as usual,” said one respondent. Another panelist disagreed, calling Cruz “the most consistently conservative candidate.”
Can Carly help Cruz win Indiana?
I’ll be on with @MegynKelly to ask a focus group of Hoosier voters… Turn to @FoxNews now! #KellyFile
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) April 28, 2016
When asked about Carly Fiorina, most responded favorably, describing her as “tough,” “a fighter,” and “sharp.” However, one called Fiorina an “outsourcer,” likely referring to her tenure at Hewlett-Packard.
What do you think? Will Carly Fiorina help Ted Cruz catch Donald Trump?
[Photo by Richard Drew/AP Images]