The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:31 PM

Kelly Anne Conway Calls it "Egregious" To Claim Mike Pence Pulled "Political Stunt" At Colts Game

Kellyanne Conway called it "egregious" for anyone to claim that Vice President Mike Pence pulled a "political stunt" by leaving the Indianapolis Colts game early.

Pence announced on Twitter yesterday that he had walked out of the Colts-49ers game after players disrespected the national anthem.

Some Democrats have accused Pence of wasting taxpayer dollars by traveling to the game so he could make a point by leaving early.

49ers safety Eric Reid dismissed Pence's actions as a "PR stunt," explaining that he probably knew the team has the largest contingent of anthem kneelers.

Conway, senior counselor to President Trump, said the event was "on the books" in advance and the former Indiana governor is not someone who would pull a stunt.

"I've known him and Mrs. Pence for 20 years. It takes a lot to get that man's blood boiling. ... To call that a political stunt is truly outrageous, egregious and offensive," she said, noting that Pence takes the issue very seriously.

She said Pence, as governor of Indiana, helped receive the remains of fallen U.S. service members with grieving families.

"Those coffins are always draped in a flag," said Conway.

She then called out a tweet from longtime sportscaster Brent Musburger, who noted the 49ers' 2-19 record since Colin Kaepernick took a knee for the anthem last season.

"Let's talk about, especially to our children, what the flag means. ... The flag is the most cohesive, unifying symbol in our nation," she said.

Watch the interview above.