After Donald Trump’s major upset victory in the presidential race, on Wednesday’s CBS This Morning, co-host Gayle King was perplexed by political analyst Frank Luntz explaining that Hillary Clinton “was actually not a good candidate.” She replied: “Did we hear that she was not a good candidate before last night?”
Luntz responded: “Absolutely.” Despite Clinton being under FBI investigation throughout her candidacy, King just couldn’t believe the observation: “It seems like I'm hearing that more and more last night. Until then, everyone – you know, she was Hillary Clinton, the most qualified candidate, the best suited for the job, the best temperament. Now we’re hearing not a good candidate.”
Fellow co-host Charlie Rose pointed out: “It’s one thing between being qualified and being a great candidate.”
Luntz noted: “And also, she had a 43-42% favorability rating before, 53-54% didn't like her. We forgot that. We weren't talking about the fact that she had the highest negativity of any Democratic nominee and now we are being reminded of it.”
Here is a transcript of the November 9 exchange:
7:36 AM ET
(...)
FRANK LUNTZ: Hillary Clinton – we forget that Hillary Clinton was actually not a good candidate. In a traditional election, being First Lady, Secretary of State, and senator would absolutely qualify you and would probably would propel you to the presidency. But if you have an American electorate that is so angry with a system and so angry with the elites as part of the system, that's actually a negative.
GAYLE KING: Did we hear that she was not a good candidate before last night?
LUNTZ: Absolutely.
KING: It seems like I'm hearing that more and more last night. Until then, everyone – you know, she was Hillary Clinton, the most qualified candidate, the best suited for the job, the best temperament. Now we’re hearing not a good candidate.
CHARLIE ROSE: It’s one thing between being qualified and being a great candidate.
KING: Being a good candidate, I get that.
LUNTZ: And also, she had a 43-42% favorability rating before, 53-54% didn't like her. We forgot that. We weren't talking about the fact that she had the highest negativity of any Democratic nominee and now we are being reminded of it.
(...)
