Thread: For six+ years I covered @EliseStefanik @RepStefanik as closely as any journalist, following her through rural Upstate #adirondack towns in #ny21, watching her build political strength, visiting her in Washington DC. Here are my takeaways. 1/
In 2014 she presented herself as a moderate and her past career suggested as much - including her writings at Harvard and her work with Democrats like @SenatorShaheen northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/249…
She also worked closely early in her career with moderates and people who've emerged as never-Trumpers like @MittRomney @SpeakerRyan @BillKristol including a stint in the Bush-Cheney White House. 3/
Our reporting found @EliseStefanik @RepStefanik had a remarkable resume in 2014 and a strong trackrecord working in Washington DC. Not the typical resume for someone seeking an Upstate NY house seat /4 blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org/inbox/2014/10/…
Reporting at @ncpr found however that she was eager to downplay her DC cred and her identity as a political insider. She claimed to have grown up in a rural #adirondacks community in #ny21. I couldn't find anyone there who knew her. 5/ northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/248…
We also saw quickly that @EliseStefanik @RepStefanik was a skilled campaigner, disciplined, dogged, fierce. She got better and better, dismantling Republican and Democratic challengers. 6/
Stefanik made it clear that she wanted a national profile in the @gop. But her rise was complicated by the victory of Donald Trump in 2016. At first @EliseStefanik @RepStefanik was wary of Trump, criticizing him often but in careful ways. 7/ northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/367…
During the Trump years however @EliseStefanik @RepStefanik executed a complete pivot, embracing Trump using the impeachment to build her national profile, securing more @FoxNews appearances, endorsing him fully in 2020. /8 northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/422…
By this point, @EliseStefanik @RepStefanik was fully branded as a Trump ally. She secured this position more fully by embracing and amplifying Trump's lies about the election and downplaying his role in the 1/6 insurrection. 9/ northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/429…
Throughout the process @EliseStefanik @RepStefanik showed steady ambition, an ability to adapt and evolve her politics, and a willingness to shed old loyalties and allies while amplifying factual untruths when necessary. Her brand may be a perfect match for the modern @gop 10/
Former President Trump clearly thinks so. While condemning @Liz_Cheney for speaking accurately about Trump's behavior in the build-up to the 1/6 insurrection, Trump has embraced @EliseStefanik @RepStefanik as the right choice for House @gop leadership. End/
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