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Republican ties himself in knots during heated clash with CNN host

alternet.org · 3h · first reportShare

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) struggled against CNN host Dana Bash on Thursday when she questioned him about accepting money from a Republican candidate accused of abusing his wife and daughter. "This is the typical Washington game where, when something comes up, you have to return the money," Lawler complained about Max Miller, who donated $10,000 to Lawler's campaign. The lawmaker said he wasn't returning the money because the allegations haven't been "proven." Several Republicans have come forward to say that Miller has a history of violence, including a former staffer in President Donald Trump's first administration. Lawler wouldn't say whether or not he stood by Miller; he only compared the alleged abuse of a wife and child to his opponent, who took money from former Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-N.Y.). Bash noted that Lawler sounded like he and Miller talk a lot privately. "I'm not going to get into that," Lawler replied. "It sounds like you're saying that you're not returning the donations