After spotting a Republican contender in a parking lot, CNN correspondent Shimon Prokupecz engaged him in a fierce debate on absurd tweets and other extreme claims via Mediaite.
In spite of a past in which she called for the killing of both former President Barack Obama and current President Joe Biden, activist Michele Morrow recently prevailed in the North Carolina GOP primary for the position of superintendent of public instruction. This information was uncovered by KFile’s Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck. Listing the Democrats she hasn’t recommended killing could be quicker.
On Thursday’s edition of CNN News Central, Prokupecz played tape of his stunning parking lot interview with Morrow, which was packed with dramatic confrontations:
PROKUPECZ: Hi, Ms. Morrow. How are you?
MICHELLE MORROW, (R) NOMINEE FOR NC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION: Hey, I’m doing fine.
PROKUPECZ: All right. How did it go in there?
MORROW: Hey, it went great.
PROKUPECZ: Yes?
MORROW: It went great.
PROKUPECZ: You feeling good?
MORROW: Who are you guys with?
PROKUPECZ: I’m Shimon Prokopez. I’m with CNN.
MORROW: Oh, have you been parked in my neighborhood by any chance?
PROKUPECZ: We’ve been trying to talk to you, yes.
MORROW: Okay. Well, you can go through my campaign. Thanks.
PROKUPECZ: I understand, but I have you now, so why don’t we talk now?
MORROW: No, no need.
PROKUPECZ: Why not? Well, I want to ask you, do you still stand …
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because it’s late and we’re …
PROKUPECZ: I’m not talking to you, ma’am. Do you still stand by your comments about former President Barack Obama and that he should be executed, calling for the death of other presidents, do you stand by that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We’re doing one more …
PROKUPECZ: Do you stand by those comments?
MORROW: Have a good night.
PROKUPECZ: Do you stand by what you’ve said about the public education system and that it needs to be destroyed?
MORROW: No comment.
PROKUPECZ: Do you stand by that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No comment.
MORROW: No comment.
PROKUPECZ: Do you understand the concern that people have …
MORROW: No comment.
PROKUPECZ: … with this nomination that you now have?
MORROW: Hey, I have a question. Do you vote in North Carolina? Then, keep your eyes on your own paper.
PROKUPECZ: Well, let me ask you …
MORROW: Keep your eyes on your own paper.
PROKUPECZ: … I’ve read papers here, too …
MORROW: Keep your eyes on your own paper.
PROKUPECZ: … and the concerns that people have with your nomination and the things that you have said.
MORROW: People in New York have concern over my nomination in North Carolina?
PROKUPECZ: People all across the country.
MORROW: All – really?
PROKUPECZ: Yes.
MORROW: Why are they concerned about North Carolina? Do you know that education is a problem in this entire country? So maybe they need to focus on what’s going on in your state of New York, which, by the way, is where I grew up. Maybe they need to focus on what’s going on in California, where children are not getting the education that they need. Maybe they need to focus on what they’re doing in Michigan.
Because right now in North Carolina, I’m focused on helping the families of North Carolina for their children to get quality education, for them to be safe, and for us to be sure that our money is going into the classroom rather than bureaucracies. That’s what I’ve been focusing on. That’s what I’ve been fighting for, for the last five years, going to the General Assembly and dealing with those issues.
PROKUPECZ: Right, but …
MORROW: So that is why I’m running.
PROKUPECZ: I understand that, but you have said such hurtful things, too, in terms of the education system …
MORROW: I have to tell you …
PROKUPECZ: … about transgenders too.
MORROW: … everyone is so done with the gotcha moments.
PROKUPECZ: This is not a gotcha.
[20:25:02]
MORROW: It is.
PROKUPECZ: These are your own words, ma’am.
MORROW: This is …
PROKUPECZ: These are your own words.
MORROW: … this has nothing to do with education.
PROKUPECZ: You have said that the former president …
MORROW: How do you know those are my words?
PROKUPECZ: … because you tweeted. Are those not your tweets?
MORROW: You don’t have …
PROKUPECZ: Do you deny saying that? You have an opportunity now.
MORROW: I am telling you.
PROKUPECZ: Do you deny saying that? MORROW: I am telling you …
PROKUPECZ: Do you – are you denying that you said that in those tweets?
MORROW: I am telling you …
PROKUPECZ: Have you …
MORROW: … that I’m going to discuss education.
PROKUPECZ: … have you talked about the indoctrination of children by teachers?
MORROW: I am telling you …
PROKUPECZ: Have you talked about that? Have you said that about students?
MORROW: Have you seen any of me going to the school board for the last five years, because you will have my answer.
