Claudia Conway is 'going to Hollywood' for 'American Idol'

SCREEN CAPTURE 

Claudia Conway overcame her nervousness to qualify for the next round in 'American Idol.'

OPINION

Claudia Conway, daughter of Trump foe George Conway and Trump confidant Kellyanne Conway, is trying to carve out a singing career via the reality competition, American Idol.

In the opening episode, facing superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, 16-year old Claudia was clearly nervous but she tried to cover it up with teenage aplomb.

Claudia first sang Rihanna's "Love on the Brain" for a bit before Perry cut her off and asked her to try another song. Then, Claudia gave Adele's "When We Were Young" a shot.

By a vote of 2-1 — with Bryan casting the dissenting vote — the judges decided to send Conway to Hollywood. So, Claudia will return for at least one more episode after the auditions are over, which coculd go on for several more weeks.

Accompanying Claudia to the auditions was her father, George Conway, a Filipino American. It was good to see the elder Conway with his daughter, Claudia.

It was good to see the human side of George Conway, one of the founders of the Lincoln Project, a group of Republicans who opposes Trump.

Prior to his wife working for Trump, he was a highly placed attorney in the Republican Party. He represented Paula Jones in her suit against President Bill Clinton.

The conservative lawyer and I probably have little in common outside of the fact that we're both Filipino and we both oppose Donald Trump. 

But when he began talking about his daughter's dream of a musical career, the proud  shed a tear. He became a human being, not just a conservative political pundit.

When he teared up. I know exactly how he felt. 

My daughter was into musical theater in high school and when she sang on stage, my jaw dropped -- where did she get that voice? and then my eyes began to water and I had trouble swallowing.

When we see people as human beings, it's harder to objectify them and more difficult to separate and for a little while, at least, easier to understand. That's something we all need to do if we want to unite our country again.

So, yeah, George. I feelya.

From the Editor, a word of caution: This post is news laced with my opinion. You are encouraged to seek other news outlets to form your own opinion.

Kellyanne and George Conway will step back from their political jobs

SCREEN CAPTURE / CBS

Kellyanne and George Conway had opposite views of Donald Trump.

... Meanwhile, Claudia Conway has been prolific on social media.

The Conway family drama playing out on social media will be coming to a close as George Conway announced he will be leaving the anti-Trump Lincoln Project and his wife, Kellyanne Conway, announced that she will leave her post at the end of the month as a close advisor to Trump .

"I will be transitioning from the White House at the end of this month. George is also making changes," Kellyanne Conway said in a statement released Sunday. Since she was Trump's campaign manager, she has grown to be one Trump's most visible  and outspoken spokespersons.

"We disagree about plenty but we are united on what matters most: the kids. Our four children are teens and 'tweens starting a new academic year, in middle school and high school, remotely from home for at least a few months. As millions of parents nationwide know, kids 'doing school from home' requires a level of attention and vigilance that is as unusual as these times."

For his part, George Conway, 56, tweeted on Sunday, that he's leaving the Lincold Project, a PAC that he co-founded along with other Republicans opposing Trump. “So I’m withdrawing from @ProjectLincoln to devote more time to family matters. And I’ll be taking a Twitter hiatus,” 

“Needless to say, I continue to support the Lincoln Project and its mission. Passionately.” 

The couple's decision to withdraw from the public discourse is an apparent attempt to heal the fractured relationship, according to their 15-year old daughter, Claudia. 

The Conway's political differences have been on display on social media since Trump's first year in office. His social media postings and scathing opeds in the Washington Post and New York Times got under Trump's sking. In his own tweets, Trump hit back, calling the Filipino American "Mr. Kellyanne Conway" and the "husband from hell."

The tension between the two has apparently affected one of their daughter who has gained quite a following online. With her left-leaning political views she often criticizes her mother and Trump and how its affected her family. She also disagrees with her conservative father except with his anti-Trump views.

After that last tweet on Saturday, her parents made the decision to do what they did for the sake of the family. 

Claudia also posted on TikTok, writing that “Running away Phase 1 starts tomorrow at 7 am.” That would have been Sunday when the elder Conways made their announcements.

In one tweet, Claudia posted that she was "devastated" that her mother was speaking at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday (Aug. 26).

Kellyanne Conway, one of the longest tenured White House staffer, said Monday that she will still speak at the RNC.

"In time, I will announce future plans. For now, and for my beloved children, it will be less drama, more mama," she said.