Fournier Praises Trump as a Politician

FOURNIER: “It’s bigger than the Republican Party. You ask why people are so interested in it, it’s because more Americans don’t fit neatly into either party. Most Americans hate what — the way the political system is now, ends justify the means, negative partisanship. They’re looking for disruption. They’re looking for a major upheaval. And they just love the idea of watching this reality TV star just really screw up the Republican Party. And, boy, I don’t -- I don’t think they have a bad -- I think they’re enjoying watching what Hillary Clinton is going through, and a social Democrat having her on the run. It’s fun to watch these guys they hate squirm.”

DICKERSON: “Well, Robert, the reality TV star to whom Ron was referring, Donald Trump, is he coming --you talked to him this week. Is he moving to a second phase of becoming a different kind of candidate than the reality TV star who’s just having a good moment?”

COSTA: “We sat down with him for an hour, my colleagues Phil Rucker and Dan Balz and I. And we said, you had an amazing summer politically. What’s next? He said he has been reluctant to spend money on television ads. He has now hired a Florida based firm to produce ads. He says they’re going to be unconventional. We’ll see. He also has committed to spending $20 million plus. That’s going to be a test. How much money is Trump really willing to put into his campaign to sustain this momentum, go into January, February, and have that grass roots organization and the battle on the airwaves.”

FOURNIER: “Can I just say how good Donald Trump is as a politician. When you can go in an interview with -- with Bob Costas, Dan Balz and Rucker –“

MARCUS: “Phil Rucker.”

FOURNIER: “I’m sorry, Phil Rucker.”

MARCUS: “Yes.”

FOURNIER: “The Pope couldn’t do an interview with those three people and have a relatively positive story.”

DICKERSON: “I don’t think yet that Trump is going for the papal seat, but he may.”