"Look at What I Did"
August 24, 2020 7:54 AM Subscribe
Kellyanne Conway will step down from her role as White House counselor (previously, she was Donald Trump's third campaign manager, following Paul Manafort and Corey Lewandowski) at the end of this month to spend more time with her family (she promises 'less drama, more mama'). Her husband, DC lawyer George Conway, will step away from his role in the Lincoln Project (previously). He added that he'll continue to support the project 'passionately.' These announcements came as good news to at least one person--daughter Claudia Conway, 15, who announced yesterday that she was seeking emancipation from her parents. Kellyanne, George, and Claudia all mentioned taking a break from social media.
"It is the business of the young to push the old off the planet."--Frank McCourt
posted by Melismata at 8:00 AM on August 24, 2020 [25 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 8:00 AM on August 24, 2020 [25 favorites]
Just to be pedantically clear, she is/was not the White House Counsel (the president's lawyer), that's this winner.
She is one of a number of people who hold positions relatively unique in prominence to this administration which I think could reasonably be described as "Trump stroker".
posted by selfnoise at 8:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [54 favorites]
She is one of a number of people who hold positions relatively unique in prominence to this administration which I think could reasonably be described as "Trump stroker".
posted by selfnoise at 8:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [54 favorites]
All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 8:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [32 favorites]
posted by Foci for Analysis at 8:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [32 favorites]
Also for some reason this whole family saga makes me think of this Mountain Goats song (yeah, the one you're probably thinking of as well).
posted by selfnoise at 8:02 AM on August 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by selfnoise at 8:02 AM on August 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
Sending her an invite to /r/raisedbynarcissists.
posted by all about eevee at 8:12 AM on August 24, 2020 [13 favorites]
posted by all about eevee at 8:12 AM on August 24, 2020 [13 favorites]
I hope Kellyanne asked her family whether they would like to spend more time with her.
posted by springo at 8:12 AM on August 24, 2020 [103 favorites]
posted by springo at 8:12 AM on August 24, 2020 [103 favorites]
I've stayed close to their daughter's social media, because I was in a terrifying abusive childhood once, and I know the signs. A guy I used to date is close to the family and we broke up over our difference of opinion (final straw) because I kept screaming to him "something is wrong here!" and he wanted to write her off as a troubled bratty teen. I begged someone to help me emancipate when I was in danger. I have a CPS record a mile long. Before we make our regular jokes. Please, remember yourself as a kid, and imagine living with those two people.
posted by lextex at 8:14 AM on August 24, 2020 [157 favorites]
posted by lextex at 8:14 AM on August 24, 2020 [157 favorites]
I'm really worried about Claudia's wellbeing going forward from this place. She said she has endured neglect from her father, and physical abuse from her mother. Now she's home alone with both of them, after embarrassing them on an international stage. I hope to god that she has a way of reaching out for help if she needs help.
posted by headspace at 8:25 AM on August 24, 2020 [42 favorites]
posted by headspace at 8:25 AM on August 24, 2020 [42 favorites]
"To spend more time with (their) family" has always meant "fired or forced to quit". And frankly I'm amazed that Kellyanne was able to stay in Trump's circle for this long when her husband's been trolling Trump nonstop for a couple years now.
The timing seems curious, too, that this canning occurred at the same time George has "stepped away" from The Lincoln Project (which he cofounded), all on the first day of the GOP Convention. It has the whiff of the Conways getting strong-armed, and I wonder whether the Lincoln Project's been neutered.
posted by at by at 8:27 AM on August 24, 2020 [14 favorites]
The timing seems curious, too, that this canning occurred at the same time George has "stepped away" from The Lincoln Project (which he cofounded), all on the first day of the GOP Convention. It has the whiff of the Conways getting strong-armed, and I wonder whether the Lincoln Project's been neutered.
posted by at by at 8:27 AM on August 24, 2020 [14 favorites]
I kind of wish Claudia hadn’t declared a twitter break. When I saw this news yesterday, I worried that she would end up in the kind of boarding school where two huge men snatch you out of your bed in the middle of the night to go there. I have a feeling that these are not too curtailed by COVID.
There may be a layer of the Trump administration at which it is possible to be a good parent as well as a government flack, but Kellyanne is not at it.
posted by Countess Elena at 8:27 AM on August 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
There may be a layer of the Trump administration at which it is possible to be a good parent as well as a government flack, but Kellyanne is not at it.
posted by Countess Elena at 8:27 AM on August 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
I was aware of the adult Conways latest news, unaware about the daughter wanting to emancipate herself from them. No jokes - even if both parents are perfectly pleasant human beings within the walls of their house and when interacting with their daughter, I cannot imagine being at the center of that particular political maelstrom.
I hope she is allowed to emancipate herself or find some other arrangement that gets her out of that.
posted by jzb at 8:28 AM on August 24, 2020 [9 favorites]
I hope she is allowed to emancipate herself or find some other arrangement that gets her out of that.
posted by jzb at 8:28 AM on August 24, 2020 [9 favorites]
I applaud any parent working on their relationship with their child, no matter how much I may disagree with them. I can't begin to imagine their situation. I hope they can all get somewhere better.
posted by showall at 8:29 AM on August 24, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by showall at 8:29 AM on August 24, 2020 [6 favorites]
The Lincoln Project dropped an ad today that calls Trump and Kushner evil, so somebody's at least still making them.
posted by box at 8:30 AM on August 24, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by box at 8:30 AM on August 24, 2020 [3 favorites]
Rats, sinking ship, etc.
posted by orange swan at 8:32 AM on August 24, 2020 [9 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 8:32 AM on August 24, 2020 [9 favorites]
selfnoise: "Also for some reason this whole family saga makes me think of this Mountain Goats song (yeah, the one you're probably thinking of as well)."
Huh, I was actualy thinking of The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton .
posted by signal at 8:37 AM on August 24, 2020 [12 favorites]
Huh, I was actualy thinking of The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton .
posted by signal at 8:37 AM on August 24, 2020 [12 favorites]
The Cut has a good article summarizing the drama from daughter Claudia's point of view. The poor girl is 15 and deserves to be in a loving family and left alone. I admire how she's seized the spotlight and become a newsmaker in her own way, apparently as a cry for help. But I hope it's only temporary and she has somewhere safe to be with people who love her.
Sometimes I wonder how Barron Trump is doing. He's 14 now. Everyone's respected the idea of keeping him entirely out of the media, even his father only barely mentions him. That's probably for the best. I'm reminded a bit of the Leave Chelsea Alone campaign when things got ugly in the Clinton years. (Starring guest appearance by Rush Limbaugh.)
posted by Nelson at 8:42 AM on August 24, 2020 [12 favorites]
Sometimes I wonder how Barron Trump is doing. He's 14 now. Everyone's respected the idea of keeping him entirely out of the media, even his father only barely mentions him. That's probably for the best. I'm reminded a bit of the Leave Chelsea Alone campaign when things got ugly in the Clinton years. (Starring guest appearance by Rush Limbaugh.)
posted by Nelson at 8:42 AM on August 24, 2020 [12 favorites]
What exactly are we supposed to be discussing in this thread? Yes, these two people have done terrible things but this thread seems to just be some ghoulish mocking of their personal lives and family. It doesn't seem to be productive or healthy for anyone.
posted by ElKevbo at 8:58 AM on August 24, 2020 [19 favorites]
posted by ElKevbo at 8:58 AM on August 24, 2020 [19 favorites]
Describing Kellyanne Conway as Trumpstroker, is exactly correct, thank you, selfnoise. Her role as handmaiden to Trump makes her gross to me. I know of George Conway from The Lincoln Project, which seems a good effort. I have no idea what they're like as people or parents. Leaving high-profile jobs to actually pay attention to your family might not be pure evil. I'm uncomfortable with making family drama public this way.
posted by theora55 at 9:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 9:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [5 favorites]
Why are people here speculating about a minor?
posted by Ideefixe at 9:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [9 favorites]
posted by Ideefixe at 9:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [9 favorites]
I agree, and I don't want to speculate about a minor.
I do however want to speculate about Kellyanne, who I think is actually leaving the white house to spend more time sewing her coat made of dalmatian puppies.
Kellyanne deserves loud and vocal mocking from now to eternity. She has been a lasting and significant bullhorn in support of lies, propaganda, and evil over the entire course of this sham of an administration.
Perhaps George is doing good work for the Lincoln Project, but it should not be forgotten that he's a member of the Federalist Society who force-fed the names of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh for SCOTUS nominations.
I'm fine with both of the adult Conways disappearing from public life, for as long as possible.
posted by mcstayinskool at 9:12 AM on August 24, 2020 [64 favorites]
I do however want to speculate about Kellyanne, who I think is actually leaving the white house to spend more time sewing her coat made of dalmatian puppies.
Kellyanne deserves loud and vocal mocking from now to eternity. She has been a lasting and significant bullhorn in support of lies, propaganda, and evil over the entire course of this sham of an administration.
Perhaps George is doing good work for the Lincoln Project, but it should not be forgotten that he's a member of the Federalist Society who force-fed the names of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh for SCOTUS nominations.
I'm fine with both of the adult Conways disappearing from public life, for as long as possible.
posted by mcstayinskool at 9:12 AM on August 24, 2020 [64 favorites]
Why are people here speculating about a minor?
Because they are worried about her. If they were all adults and there were no crimes, I think we could say we should leave it alone. But when you're worried about a kid, that's hard. I don't think people are speculating, per se, but worried - and if/when she's out of the situation, people will stop talking about her.
Me, I worry because Claudia doesn't look typically 15 - she looks a lot older. That's probably due to no little effort on her part to look more sophisticated and attractive (certainly more attractive than I looked at 15, being a plump baby-face with acne). But when kids look older than they are, people treat them as if they are older, and that's bad. I just hope that she has supportive, sensible adults to rely on, because she is a just a kid. And that's the end of my speculation.
posted by jb at 9:17 AM on August 24, 2020 [29 favorites]
Because they are worried about her. If they were all adults and there were no crimes, I think we could say we should leave it alone. But when you're worried about a kid, that's hard. I don't think people are speculating, per se, but worried - and if/when she's out of the situation, people will stop talking about her.
Me, I worry because Claudia doesn't look typically 15 - she looks a lot older. That's probably due to no little effort on her part to look more sophisticated and attractive (certainly more attractive than I looked at 15, being a plump baby-face with acne). But when kids look older than they are, people treat them as if they are older, and that's bad. I just hope that she has supportive, sensible adults to rely on, because she is a just a kid. And that's the end of my speculation.
posted by jb at 9:17 AM on August 24, 2020 [29 favorites]
This may be the one situation ever where "quit to spend time with the family" may be legitimate...to shush Claudia, if nothing else.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:20 AM on August 24, 2020
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:20 AM on August 24, 2020
Supporters of Family Separation Policy Separate Own Family
posted by benzenedream at 9:22 AM on August 24, 2020 [22 favorites]
posted by benzenedream at 9:22 AM on August 24, 2020 [22 favorites]
the first thing that comes to my (Canadian) mind is, how is this not America 2020 in a nutshell? The dialogue between the "responsible" adults in the immediate family has gotten so toxic that the kid is bailing, looking elsewhere for something resembling a hopeful future.
Here's hoping.
posted by philip-random at 9:27 AM on August 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
Here's hoping.
posted by philip-random at 9:27 AM on August 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
I applaud any parent working on their relationship with their child, no matter how much I may disagree with them.
Nope, not when allegations of abuse are involved and at least one of the alleged perpetrators has a history of abusive public behavior that you can find on C-SPAN.
I hope Kellyanne asked her family whether they would like to spend more time with her.
I'm very uneasy with both adult Conways citing this as their reason to resign. It stinks to high heaven, like they're trying to silence Claudia. Given the way that Kellyanne's boss treats the legal system as an attack dog for both family and employees, I think the children need to be as far away from them as they can get, with restraining orders to back them up.
posted by Glegrinof the Pig-Man at 9:33 AM on August 24, 2020 [20 favorites]
Nope, not when allegations of abuse are involved and at least one of the alleged perpetrators has a history of abusive public behavior that you can find on C-SPAN.
I hope Kellyanne asked her family whether they would like to spend more time with her.
I'm very uneasy with both adult Conways citing this as their reason to resign. It stinks to high heaven, like they're trying to silence Claudia. Given the way that Kellyanne's boss treats the legal system as an attack dog for both family and employees, I think the children need to be as far away from them as they can get, with restraining orders to back them up.
posted by Glegrinof the Pig-Man at 9:33 AM on August 24, 2020 [20 favorites]
They're gonna be spending more time with the producers on their future TV show, because staying in their day jobs would likely be too problematic to advertisers.
I hope ALL their kids get whatever it is they need, but it's already clear that neither of the adults has any sort of soul and sympathy is wasted on them.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:33 AM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
I hope ALL their kids get whatever it is they need, but it's already clear that neither of the adults has any sort of soul and sympathy is wasted on them.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:33 AM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
The problem with America in 2020 is not that the dialogue has become toxic. That's something that you say when people can't agree about relatively minor things that decent people might disagree about. When people are nastily fighting about whether dinnertime is 5 or 6, their dialogue has become toxic.
The problem with America in 2020 is that almost half the country are wholeheartedly and enthusastically supporting vile things. That's not a "toxic dialogue" problem. That's a "lots of Nazis" problem. That's a "widespread lack of moral character" problem.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 9:41 AM on August 24, 2020 [74 favorites]
The problem with America in 2020 is that almost half the country are wholeheartedly and enthusastically supporting vile things. That's not a "toxic dialogue" problem. That's a "lots of Nazis" problem. That's a "widespread lack of moral character" problem.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 9:41 AM on August 24, 2020 [74 favorites]
Rats, sinking ship, etc.
That's how I see it. KAC decided that Trump is one-and-done, and rather than getting the stink of failure on her, she can go forward as a commentator with her track record clean.
posted by mikelieman at 9:43 AM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
That's how I see it. KAC decided that Trump is one-and-done, and rather than getting the stink of failure on her, she can go forward as a commentator with her track record clean.
posted by mikelieman at 9:43 AM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
Y'all keep talking about commentator jobs but it occurs to me that if KAC wrote a tell-all book that really told everything, that advance would make Bolton's look like the stash in a kid's piggy bank.
posted by Ber at 10:03 AM on August 24, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by Ber at 10:03 AM on August 24, 2020 [6 favorites]
Cynically, also, there's money to be made in reality TV.
Keeping up with the Conways.
posted by bonehead at 10:13 AM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
Keeping up with the Conways.
posted by bonehead at 10:13 AM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
"Conning with the Conways", shurely?
posted by benzenedream at 10:21 AM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by benzenedream at 10:21 AM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
Wasn't this the lady who pioneered the epistemological innovation of "alternative facts"?
Silence would be golden in comparison.
posted by homerica at 10:26 AM on August 24, 2020 [4 favorites]
Silence would be golden in comparison.
posted by homerica at 10:26 AM on August 24, 2020 [4 favorites]
Or you could go with my original title for this post, "The Way of the Con."
posted by box at 10:35 AM on August 24, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by box at 10:35 AM on August 24, 2020 [5 favorites]
Gotta air out that trumpstink before George can cash in favours from the Biden administration.
posted by rodlymight at 10:35 AM on August 24, 2020
posted by rodlymight at 10:35 AM on August 24, 2020
Based on what I’ve seen of her on screen—which granted, is probably part performance, but still—the thought of having that woman as a mother makes me shudder to the core.
posted by gottabefunky at 11:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by gottabefunky at 11:01 AM on August 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
Is it my imagination, or are a lot of dominoes falling these days? Conways out. Bannon arrested. Niece wrote a book, including secret recording from sister. DeVos lost lawsuit. DeJoy raked over the coals. Are people saying "oh good the end is near, let's start getting things back to normal ahead of time"?
posted by Melismata at 11:03 AM on August 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 11:03 AM on August 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
Melismata, I hope it’s not your imagination. But we have all been seduced by that kind of thinking dozens of times in the course of this horror show of an administration, just to see things get twice as bad the very next week.
As for Claudia Conway, I do hope that she can be emancipated. I have read enough from her to trust her judgment where her family situation is concerned.
posted by la glaneuse at 11:20 AM on August 24, 2020 [8 favorites]
As for Claudia Conway, I do hope that she can be emancipated. I have read enough from her to trust her judgment where her family situation is concerned.
posted by la glaneuse at 11:20 AM on August 24, 2020 [8 favorites]
Not your imagination, but certainly no cause for celebration. Complacency is our biggest enemy, and even if Trump loses the election, there are 77 days between November 3 and January 20. Plenty of time for mischief to occur.
posted by haiku warrior at 11:21 AM on August 24, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by haiku warrior at 11:21 AM on August 24, 2020 [4 favorites]
Wasn’t the tacit assumption that she was having an affair with ... you know, that guy... and her husband was, reasonably, furious about it?
Glad KAC will go away from the media eye - god do I pray for her kids but the road to is likely especially long for them
posted by From Bklyn at 11:22 AM on August 24, 2020
Glad KAC will go away from the media eye - god do I pray for her kids but the road to is likely especially long for them
posted by From Bklyn at 11:22 AM on August 24, 2020
But we have all been seduced by that kind of thinking dozens of times in the course of this horror show of an administration
I was immediately reminded of this video, which I'm shocked to learn is a couple days over 3 years old (that particular youtube version was published 18 Aug 2017). Turns out Bannon had longer hair in his actual perp walk.
posted by msbrauer at 11:35 AM on August 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
I was immediately reminded of this video, which I'm shocked to learn is a couple days over 3 years old (that particular youtube version was published 18 Aug 2017). Turns out Bannon had longer hair in his actual perp walk.
posted by msbrauer at 11:35 AM on August 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
I think I posted this in a different thread: Trump administration officials have been cited 13 times for violating the Hatch Act, a New Deal-era law prohibiting government officials from engaging in campaigning. (ProPublica, Aug. 12, 2020); "Administration officials have been cited for breaking the Hatch Act 13 times by federal investigators at the Office of Special Counsel (not to be confused with special counsel Robert Mueller). Twelve more investigations are underway. The law dates from the New Deal era, enacted after a scandal where employees of the Works Progress Administration were pressured to work on the campaigns of candidates friendly to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. [...] Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, violated the Hatch Act so many times that the OSC took the drastic measure of recommending she be fired, calling her actions “egregious, notorious and ongoing.” (Trump refused to do so.)" [Some CREW Hatch Act complaints and OSC reprimands]
More Hatch Act violations are expected during the RNC, and her boss is not polling well. Steve Bannon was arrested last week; he was officially in the Trump circle from Aug. 2016 (the same month KConway became Trump's third campaign manager) to Aug. 2017, and there's speculation he'll flip like flapjacks. When in power, the Democrats don't usually pursue legal action against previous administrations; given the scope of this crime web, that could change. The very public Conway family strife is both real and real convenient for resignation-tendering purposes.
Bonus, Conway will finally have time to develop her "Bowling Green Massacre" screenplay idea.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:40 AM on August 24, 2020 [17 favorites]
More Hatch Act violations are expected during the RNC, and her boss is not polling well. Steve Bannon was arrested last week; he was officially in the Trump circle from Aug. 2016 (the same month KConway became Trump's third campaign manager) to Aug. 2017, and there's speculation he'll flip like flapjacks. When in power, the Democrats don't usually pursue legal action against previous administrations; given the scope of this crime web, that could change. The very public Conway family strife is both real and real convenient for resignation-tendering purposes.
Bonus, Conway will finally have time to develop her "Bowling Green Massacre" screenplay idea.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:40 AM on August 24, 2020 [17 favorites]
There may be a layer of the Trump administration at which it is possible to be a good parent as well as a government flack, but Kellyanne is not at it.
If you think part of being a good parent is "working to leave your child a livable world and a country with a functioning democracy" then no, no there is not.
posted by emjaybee at 11:49 AM on August 24, 2020 [11 favorites]
If you think part of being a good parent is "working to leave your child a livable world and a country with a functioning democracy" then no, no there is not.
posted by emjaybee at 11:49 AM on August 24, 2020 [11 favorites]
IANAL, but isn't it the case that if the younger Conway pursues emancipation, her parents' financials would be examined with a microscope by the court?
It seems entirely possible they're circling the wagons and trying to patch up the family to save one or more of the adult Conways from criminal charges.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:19 PM on August 24, 2020 [20 favorites]
It seems entirely possible they're circling the wagons and trying to patch up the family to save one or more of the adult Conways from criminal charges.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:19 PM on August 24, 2020 [20 favorites]
a lot of dominoes falling these days? Conways out. Bannon arrested.
Speculation: These things are related. Conway and Bannon were both Mercer picks, no? Bannon now has greater incentive to talk, and Conway might be in legal crosshairs if he does. And iirc, the Mercers have scaled back campaign contributions this go-round. Whatever's going on in the Conway family might be true and also cover for extracting Conway at this current moment. Time will tell.
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:18 PM on August 24, 2020
Speculation: These things are related. Conway and Bannon were both Mercer picks, no? Bannon now has greater incentive to talk, and Conway might be in legal crosshairs if he does. And iirc, the Mercers have scaled back campaign contributions this go-round. Whatever's going on in the Conway family might be true and also cover for extracting Conway at this current moment. Time will tell.
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:18 PM on August 24, 2020
And yet, we've seen dominos falling throughout this administration. We've seen firings and arrests and every other month Trump has pretended he didn't really know someone close to him. I cheered about Bannon being arrested like anyone else, 'cause fuck that guy, but I'm not letting myself read the rest of this as too much of a trend.
I do, however, think that giving George Conway any credit or amplification was an obvious mistake from the beginning and this in no way changes that. Husband and wife are both trash and there's no way they aren't gaming all this out for themselves. But I feel a lot for the kids, because growing up with them and in all this has to be absolute hell.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:51 PM on August 24, 2020 [6 favorites]
I do, however, think that giving George Conway any credit or amplification was an obvious mistake from the beginning and this in no way changes that. Husband and wife are both trash and there's no way they aren't gaming all this out for themselves. But I feel a lot for the kids, because growing up with them and in all this has to be absolute hell.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:51 PM on August 24, 2020 [6 favorites]
not going to comment on whatever unseen familial dynamics are at play, but KACs 'less drama, more mama' is pretty odious. like how shitty a person are you when something unpleasant involving your daughter is happening and you can't stop catchphrasing.
posted by logicpunk at 1:56 PM on August 24, 2020 [24 favorites]
posted by logicpunk at 1:56 PM on August 24, 2020 [24 favorites]
The only thing we can hope for is a flurry of prosecutions that keeps the right wing shitshow distracted, such that the Indictment-Proof Mob Boss loses the election and with it, his golden criming ticket. After that, pardons and a mafia-run DOJ won't be an issue.
posted by benzenedream at 1:57 PM on August 24, 2020
posted by benzenedream at 1:57 PM on August 24, 2020
I dunno, but the elder Conways sure do appear to be running from something. Here's a dramatization.
posted by Don Pepino at 2:01 PM on August 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Don Pepino at 2:01 PM on August 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
Also for some reason this whole family saga makes me think of this Mountain Goats song (yeah, the one you're probably thinking of as well).
Exhibit A for why I've learned to not introduce The Mountain Goats to my close friends and romantic partners. Apologies for the tangent.
posted by treepour at 2:19 PM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
Exhibit A for why I've learned to not introduce The Mountain Goats to my close friends and romantic partners. Apologies for the tangent.
posted by treepour at 2:19 PM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
Also for some reason this whole family saga makes me think of this Mountain Goats song (yeah, the one you're probably thinking of as well).
I'd be lying if I ais I didn't know which one you were thinking of, but really I think this one is more approppos of 2020.
posted by pwnguin at 3:14 PM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
I'd be lying if I ais I didn't know which one you were thinking of, but really I think this one is more approppos of 2020.
posted by pwnguin at 3:14 PM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
giving George Conway any credit or amplification was an obvious mistake from the beginning
In particular, I dislike his "contributing columnist" work at the Washington Post. Stuff like this snarky, link-tastic Aug. 10 piece I (still) believe the president, and in the president [thanks, Internet Archive] should make a beeline for my wheelhouse, but given that it's penned by George T. Conway, III, that's not happening.
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:24 PM on August 24, 2020
In particular, I dislike his "contributing columnist" work at the Washington Post. Stuff like this snarky, link-tastic Aug. 10 piece I (still) believe the president, and in the president [thanks, Internet Archive] should make a beeline for my wheelhouse, but given that it's penned by George T. Conway, III, that's not happening.
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:24 PM on August 24, 2020
IANAL, but isn't it the case that if the younger Conway pursues emancipation, her parents' financials would be examined with a microscope by the court?
I read this morning a speculation from a lawyer (can't find it now) that, if Claudia Conway is resolute in seeking emancipation and gets some pro bono legal help, discovery of physical abuse from her mom that her dad witnessed and did not report will very likely get him disbarred.
posted by gum at 4:31 PM on August 24, 2020 [8 favorites]
I read this morning a speculation from a lawyer (can't find it now) that, if Claudia Conway is resolute in seeking emancipation and gets some pro bono legal help, discovery of physical abuse from her mom that her dad witnessed and did not report will very likely get him disbarred.
posted by gum at 4:31 PM on August 24, 2020 [8 favorites]
Gotta wonder if we'll see one hell of a "Mommie and Daddie Dearest" tome being released by Claudia in the not-too-far future.
posted by gtrwolf at 5:23 PM on August 24, 2020
posted by gtrwolf at 5:23 PM on August 24, 2020
I was an emancipated minor. It is not an easy path if your parents protest. But it is not a thing done lightly, nor easily, and if Claudia feels the need to announce that she’s doing it, shit is very bad. I hope she has an attorney and a safe space, and if I could go get her and protect her, I would.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 5:31 PM on August 24, 2020 [25 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 5:31 PM on August 24, 2020 [25 favorites]
Not to make light of potential child abuse, but when I think of the minor Conway's media engagement, all i ca think of is the infamous drug PSA "I learned it by watching you!"
Hopefully kids and parents can get the help they need.
posted by CostcoCultist at 5:40 PM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
Hopefully kids and parents can get the help they need.
posted by CostcoCultist at 5:40 PM on August 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
I am an aging Gen Xer with aging Gen Xer tastes, but I sort of hope someone turns Claudia Conway onto the music and writing of David Berman, who struggled with his father's complicity in right wing evil.
Though considering that Berman didn't make it out, maybe not.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:55 PM on August 24, 2020 [3 favorites]
Though considering that Berman didn't make it out, maybe not.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:55 PM on August 24, 2020 [3 favorites]
From a pragmatic perspective a kid of wealthy political parents like the Conways can probably see that the combination of both her parents are absolutely devastating the future she should have easily inherited. They have pretty much poisoned the wells on both sides of the aisle. Through no doing of her own she would like end up being anathema in Washington and the only way out of this is a big demonstrable public distancing act like emancipation.
posted by srboisvert at 2:26 AM on August 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by srboisvert at 2:26 AM on August 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
Wait, George Conway works for the Lincoln Project, and Kellyanne Conway is a Trump campaign manager? How does this marriage and family even work? Need an explanation here. Is it just cognitive dissonance and incongruity, cynical insincerity? ("Always Has Been"?) Going all in on the both sides of the fence strategy? Are they married in name only and really separated?
posted by thefool at 5:46 AM on August 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by thefool at 5:46 AM on August 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
I read speculation that the process of emancipation would include going through the finances of both parents with a fine-tooth comb, and that neither would really want that?
posted by gnuhavenpier at 6:00 AM on August 25, 2020
posted by gnuhavenpier at 6:00 AM on August 25, 2020
How does this marriage and family even work?
There's been three years of stuff written about this question, none of it very insightful. I have an explanation though.
Kayfabe.
posted by Nelson at 7:13 AM on August 25, 2020 [4 favorites]
There's been three years of stuff written about this question, none of it very insightful. I have an explanation though.
Kayfabe.
posted by Nelson at 7:13 AM on August 25, 2020 [4 favorites]
I have an explanation though.
The kayfabe is how they make their money, their jobs. The boring answer is that life is not politics and political discussions, and that anything the president does or takes away doesn't really effect upper middle class white people that much. As an aside, I'd put the percent of couples with different political views at at least 35% and if you add in the kids who express political views, it's close to 100%.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:58 AM on August 25, 2020 [2 favorites]
The kayfabe is how they make their money, their jobs. The boring answer is that life is not politics and political discussions, and that anything the president does or takes away doesn't really effect upper middle class white people that much. As an aside, I'd put the percent of couples with different political views at at least 35% and if you add in the kids who express political views, it's close to 100%.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:58 AM on August 25, 2020 [2 favorites]
life is not politics
Unless your family life depends on politics. As a gay man I am acutely aware every day how close my domestic life has been to being eradicated. The US could easily have gone the way Poland is going now. And while I think my gay rights are probably safe for the next few years, my trans friends are having a much harder time of it.
I dismiss the Kellyanne & George show as kayfabe, because I think they're both very cynical actors. But for ordinary people like me our nightly conversations are dominated by our fear of what the Trump administration would do to people like me. So while I accept part of their awfulness is an act that doesn't absolve them of guilt or responsibility. It makes it worse.
Now imagine you're a 15 year old girl living with such monstrous parents. Whether it's an act or real or both doesn't much matter does it?
posted by Nelson at 8:50 AM on August 25, 2020 [15 favorites]
Unless your family life depends on politics. As a gay man I am acutely aware every day how close my domestic life has been to being eradicated. The US could easily have gone the way Poland is going now. And while I think my gay rights are probably safe for the next few years, my trans friends are having a much harder time of it.
I dismiss the Kellyanne & George show as kayfabe, because I think they're both very cynical actors. But for ordinary people like me our nightly conversations are dominated by our fear of what the Trump administration would do to people like me. So while I accept part of their awfulness is an act that doesn't absolve them of guilt or responsibility. It makes it worse.
Now imagine you're a 15 year old girl living with such monstrous parents. Whether it's an act or real or both doesn't much matter does it?
posted by Nelson at 8:50 AM on August 25, 2020 [15 favorites]
Mod note: Fixed that counsel/counselor confusion in the post text.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:50 PM on August 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:50 PM on August 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
As I understand it, the Conways are practicing Roman Catholics. In my personal experience being a conservative Catholic means - in part - marrying someone who you will eventually come to dislike and resent if not openly despise but would never, ever divorce because that’s just wrong.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 8:59 AM on August 26, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by Big Al 8000 at 8:59 AM on August 26, 2020 [4 favorites]
The wife of a friend refers to KAC as a hexenbiest and that resonates on so many levels for my household.
posted by Ber at 1:06 PM on August 26, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by Ber at 1:06 PM on August 26, 2020 [3 favorites]
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posted by ryanshepard at 7:56 AM on August 24, 2020 [32 favorites]