Savannah Guthrie interviewed Senator Rand Paul on The Today Show this past week, and proved that she could hold her own against the presidential hopeful–even when being bashed by him on live TV.
This is the second time Rand Paul has spoken rather abruptly (read: rudely) to a female TV anchor. CNBC anchor Kelly Evans came under his fire prior to his blast at Savannah Guthrie.
The tongue lashing Savannah Guthrie received from the senator came when she noted his shift in positions on the threat posed by Iran and on the U.S. providing foreign aid to countries–including Israel.
“You have had views in the past on foreign policy that are somewhat unorthodox, but you seem to have changed over the years. You once said Iran was not a threat, now you say it is. You once proposed ending foreign aid to Israel; you now support it, at least for the time being. And you once offered to drastically cut…,” Guthrie said.
“No , before we go..,” Rand Paul said.
“Well wait, wait, wait,” Savannah Guthrie interjected. “So I just wonder if you’ve mellowed out.”
“Yeah, why don’t we let me explain instead of talking over me, OK? Before we go through a litany of things you say I’ve changed on, why don’t you ask me a question: Have I changed my opinion?” Paul said.
“Have you changed your opinion?” Savannah Guthrie politely inquired.
“That’s a better way to approach it,” Rand Paul said in a rather patronizing manner.
“Okay. Is Iran still not a threat?” Guthrie asked.
“No, no, no, you’ve editorialized it. No no no no, listen. You’ve editorialized. Let me answer a question. You asked a question and you say ‘Have your views changed?’ instead of editorializing and saying my views have changed,” Paul continued.
Rand Paul gets testy in a super tense interview with @TODAYshow's Savannah Guthrie–watch now: http://t.co/DOZqotypwA
— E! Online (@eonline) April 8, 2015
When Rand Paul had his run-in with Kelly Evans back in February, he even had the audacity to ‘shush’ her–yes, he actually put his fingers to his lips and say ‘shush,’ before lighting into her even further.
Does @RandPaul have an interview problem? W/ women? Tonight @megynk3lly. Mentioned @Kelly_Evans @CNBCClosingBell @SavannahGuthrie
— Larry Kudlow (@larry_kudlow) April 9, 2015
Wouldn’t you have loved to hear what both Savannah Guthrie and Kelly Evans had to say following their interviews with Rand Paul? Do you think the networks will all seek out their toughest anchors to interview the presidential hopeful in the future or will each of these women go back in for more?
Certainly Rand Paul and all other interviewees have the right to speak their minds, but the way he spoke to both Savannah Guthrie and Kelly Evans reeked of condescension. No one has the right to do that–not even if they’re running for president.
