“Who cares? The fact is Melania gave a good speech, she is stunningly attractive, she’s stunningly articulate, and most of the people who are criticizing her can’t speak five languages. She’s a bright person, she introduced herself in a way that’s attractive, and she’s obviously very passionate about America.”
— Newt Gingrich, quoted by New York Magazine, on Melania Trump’s speech that lifted parts of a speech by Michelle Obama.
NBC News: “The original draft of Melania Trump’s Republican National Convention speech did not include the section that appears to have been lifted from Michelle Obama’s 2008 convention speech… The documents, including the original draft and corroborating emails, obtained by NBC News, suggest the passage in question originated within the Trump campaign, and raises new questions for the GOP nominee’s top aides, who spent much of Tuesday deflecting blame and insisting there was nothing wrong with Melania Trump’s speech.”
New York Times: “It was Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and top adviser, who commissioned the speech from Mr. Scully and Mr. McConnell — and praised their draft. But Ms. Trump decided to revise it, and at one point she turned to a trusted hand: Meredith McIver, a New York City-based former ballet dancer and English major who has worked on some of Mr. Trump’s books, including ‘Think Like a Billionaire.’ It was not clear how much of a hand Ms. McIver had in the final product, and she did not respond to an email on Tuesday.”
“I wrote it…with a little help as possible.”
— Melania Trump, in an interview with NBC News, before delivering GOP convention speech last night.
“We know the truth. He’s not Hitler. He wants to help America. He wants to unite people. They think he doesn’t, but he does.”
— Melania Trump, in an interview with Du Jour.
“Look how she walks. Did you see her walk? That’s a runway walk. My God, is that good.”
— Chris Matthews, caught on a hot mic checking out Melania Trump.
Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.
Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.
Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.
Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.
Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.