Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is finally getting some media attention, but it may not exactly be what she had in mind. Ever since she boldly asked House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff if he was going to employ the same closed-door tactics during the public hearings into the impeachment inquiry as he did during depositions, she's been the new liberal target. ABC News political analyst Matthew Dowd was so peeved by her interrogation that he tweeted something to suggest that Stefanik had only been elected to Congress because of her gender. He deleted the tweet, apologized, and insisted that's not at all what he meant.
His critique was tame in comparison to George Conway. Conway, husband to White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway and a very frequent President Trump critic, recently joined the mob attacking Stefanik by calling her "lying trash" and encouraging his followers to support her opponent.
.@EliseStefanik is lying trash. Please give to her opponent, @TedraCobb. https://t.co/NDstzv2Qgr
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) November 16, 2019
I would dwell on my thoughts about the tweet, but instead, I'll just guide you to Guy's new analysis piece, where he applauds Mr. Conway for acting like a "true gentleman."
Stefanik defended herself against what she termed a misogynist attack and told her opponent, Tedra Cobb, she can take Conway's endorsement. She sure doesn't want it.
But the freshman lawmaker had help from a few friends too. There are several young, conservative women running for Congress in upstate New York, and many of them are rallying to Stefanik's side in light of last week's media ambush. Nicole Malliotakis, running against impeachment flip-flopper Rep. Max Rose (D-NY), called Stefanik a role model and echoed the point former U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley made about how the media would be fawning over Stefanik if she was a liberal.
Isn’t this the truth. Thank you @NikkiHaley & @RepStefanik for being great role models and STRONG Republican women. https://t.co/NiOjYX2Qbj
— Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) November 16, 2019
Liz Lemery Joy, a conservative Christian who's running for Congress in New York's 20th district, couldn't agree more.
As a Republican Conservative woman running for Congress in #NY20, next door to @EliseStefanik #NY21, I applaud her! Bravo!She’s taking down @RepAdamSchiff! Upstate NY doesn’t want impeachment! And my childhood home in #NY21 where my family lives, doesn’t want Taxin’ Tedra either! https://t.co/e1LUfc41K4
— Liz Joy (@LizLemeryJoy) November 17, 2019
The New York State Chairs of the Republican and Conservative Parties, and 12 local Republican County Chairs also stand united in their support for Stefanik. In a new letter, the chairs share how “grateful” they are for Stefanik’s leadership as “she asks the strongest questions and shines the light of truth on this important constitutional matter.”
“She is truly a new generation leader and rising star,” the leaders write.
They also credit Stefanik and her “exceptional work” with thrusting NY21 district into the national spotlight.
“The Far-Left has targeted our Congresswoman with vile attacks,” the chairs note. “At home, North Country couldn’t be prouder.”
Clearly, Stefanik's aggressive Q&A for Schiff hit a nerve. She made one more familiar fan.
A new Republican Star is born. Great going @EliseStefanik! https://t.co/9QH4oUa2eg
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 17, 2019