On CNN’s Inside Politics:
Dana Bash: “Last year a rising star in the Democratic Party announced her retirement after she received a devastating diagnosis: a rare degenerative brain condition. Now, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton is teaming up with her one-time political opponent in support of Kamala Harris.”
[…]
Dana Bash: “Jennifer Wexton and Barbara Comstock were once political rivals […] in a hard-fought race to represent the northern Virginia district in Congress […] one Comstock — a Republican now joining Wexton to campaign against Donald Trump — now says she was secretly relieved to lose.”
Rep. Barbara Comstock: “Jennifer didn’t realize you know, kind of what a relief it was for me to be out of the Trump world. While I loved serving my constituents, I loved doing the work, you know I got to pass some great legislation, but being part of what had become the Trump party, really was a burden.”
Rep. Jennifer Wexton: “If you told 2018 me that I’d be sitting here with Barbara Comstock on CNN and that she was one of the biggest supporters of the Democratic nominee for president in her race against Donald Trump, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
[…]
Dana Bash: “No one would fault you for taking a step back from politics, focus on your health instead, and yet, here you are giving interviews, you are out campaigning for Kamala Harris. Why is it so important to you?”
Rep. Jennifer Wexton: “I may not be here in four years, so I’m not about to sit on the sidelines. The stakes are too high. The reason I ran for Congress in the first place is because of my kids. After the 2016 election, I knew that I couldn’t look my boys in the eye years down the road and say that I didn’t do all I could to defend against the danger Donald Trump posed to the future of our country. Looking out for kids and families has been the guiding principle throughout my public service. Now, my health battle has given me even more perspective on that.”
[…]
Dana Bash: “Do you think that this kind of partnership would happen with men?”
Rep. Jennifer Wexton: “I do believe that women are more likely to check our egos at the door when it comes to getting stuff done. It’s something I’ve experienced firsthand working in Congress, and I imagine Barbara can say the same. Too much ego and pride to the point where its hubris can be dangerous. That’s no way to lead, and I think the former president is a perfect example of that.”
Rep. Barbara Comstock: “Here we are in the 21st century. We cannot have the kind of misogyny and attacks on women that we’ve seen from this team. Not just Donald Trump himself, which is constant, but the people around him. Internationally, this will make a big difference because somebody who is bowing down to Putin, who’s bowing down to these kind of dictators. We need the strength of a woman at this time who doesn’t get weak in the knees when you see a dictator.”
[…]
Rep. Jennifer Wexton: “I think that regardless of who you’re voting for next week, this is an important conversation for Americans to see. Our differences don’t have to divide us. That’s a lesson that we in our country could benefit from. And don’t forget to vote. Your vote is your power in our democracy, and regardless of who you vote for, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote, and you forfeit your right to complain for the next four years if you don’t vote.”
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