Kellyanne Conway’s departure proves win or lose, parenting trumps Trump

When a couple of big-time politicos admit that politics no longer tops their list of what’s important, I’m taking notice. That’s because even though I haven’t been a political consultant for years, I will be a parent until the day I die.

And it’s why I think it’s great that White House Counsel Kellyanne Conway, one of President Donald Trump’s most trusted and loyal advisers, is quitting. Not because I hate Trump but because she’s quitting to save her family.

Whether one loves — or loathes — Kellyanne Conway, you’ve gotta admit she’s fascinating. After running a major polling firm and working for several high-profile candidates, she became the first woman to run a successful presidential campaign when Donald Trump won in 2016. 

Another reason Kellyanne Conway is fascinating is because of her husband, George Conway. Like her, he’s a conservative and a Republican attorney (or was a Republican) but unlike her, he’s a big critic of her boss and a driving force behind The Lincoln Project, a group of Republicans and right-leaning independents working against Donald Trump’s reelection.

Before mentioning the Conways differences, I should’ve mentioned their most important commonality — because it, or more correctly, they, are why she’s leaving the president’s side.

In a statement regarding her resignation, Kellyanne said she and George are united on what matters most: the kids. And she said that kids everywhere, right now, require an unusual level of attention.

Amen, sister.

I suppose the couple most like the Conways in our recent history were James Carville and Mary Matalin. He got Bill Clinton elected; she worked for George H.W. Bush. They’re still married — and the fact that social media didn’t exist back in the ’90s, magnify their differences, may be one of the reasons why.

Interestingly, it may be social media that helped alert George and Kellyanne Conway that their kids needed more attention (and less disagreement) at home, when their 15-year-old daughter tweeted she was exploring legal emancipation from her parents.

George Conway also says he’s stepping away from politics — namely The Lincoln Project. And he’s taking a Twitter hiatus as well in order to devote more time to family matters.

At a time when their kids need them more than ever, it’s good to see Kellyanne and George Conway focus on family. For these two political animals to do so right before a major election is amazing. 

And it shows me that when we are being told that “this is the most important election in our lifetime!” (for what, the 800th time…?) I should probably take a break from politics on social media from time to time — and most definitely take a break from politics every time I walk into my house.  

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