ST. LOUIS — Fox 2’s “Hancock and Kelley” political team joined us in studio Thursday for an extensive analysis of a New York City jury’s criminal convictions of former President Donald Trump.
Republican consultant John Hancock, on the right, and Democrat consultant Michael Kelley, on the left, both called it a ‘sad day’ for America, but not necessarily for the same reasons.
“Yeah, I was surprised (by the guilty verdicts on all 34 counts),” Hanock said. “I expected the jury to be hung in this case. I thought surely there were 1, 2, and 3 of those jurors who wouldn’t see this as a conviction that was going to be helpful for the republic.”
“One, I was shocked that it happened this quickly,” Kelley said. “Two, I didn’t expect it to be 34 counts of guilty. A little calmness descended upon me because I knew that the next six months just got ramped up.”
“We’ve got a former President of the United States convicted of felonies and a possibility of going to jail. That’s a crisis for the republic,” Hancock said. “Our judicial system, which has long been the pride and joy of the American constitution, is under assault right now. Half the country thinks it’s rigged. That’s not good.”
“Do you have any concern that this victimizes Mr. Trump and people will rally behind him because of it?” Fox 2’s Andy Banker asked Kelley.
“Donald Trump has made a career out of being a victim,” Kelley said. “If people buy into that narrative, they are going to buy into it before this election. Those who seem to be fraudsters are going to still see him as a fraudster.”
“His supporters say this was a witch hunt; this was unfair; the judge sort of made up the law in the jury instructions.” Andy said to Hancock.
“I think the jury instructions are probably the most likely grounds for appeal,” Hancock replied. “They were very unusual. The case was very unusual: bringing the falsification of business documents into a campaign finance felony. I’ve never seen that before.”
“I think President Biden will have to counter this big splash of fundraising that will happen immediately because of Donald Trump’s supporters… Yes, Mr. Biden can be called a convicted felon. At the end of the day, I think he has to be president and be above it.”
Remember to watch St. Louis’s top political show, Hancock and Kelley, with host/moderator Andy Banker every Sunday morning at 8:30 on Fox 2.
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