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EXCLUSIVE: Lead the Republican communication policy of the House under a president like donald trumpwho is known to often air his thoughts on the public stage, is probably no easy task.
But Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Michigan, the new chairwoman of the House GOP conference, argues that the outspoken commander-in-chief makes her job easier, in part, because of her simple but ubiquitous slogan.
“If you look at the last election cycle, the Republicans had the winning message, and it was simple and consistent and easily repeatable, right?” McClain said. “Then, ‘Make America Great.’ Make America Strong Again. It was simple and it was concise.”
“Not everyone is trying to reinvent the wheel. They have a playbook that everyone can sing, so to speak.”
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Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Michigan, is the new No. 4 House GOP leader (Tom Williams)
McClain, now #4 House GOP leaderhe has been in senior management for just over three weeks. But he has largely eschewed the solo stage that comes with the role in favor of putting the spotlight on lesser-known members of the GOP.
She has co-authored opinion pieces with grassroots lawmakers and promoted interview opportunities on issues affecting her home states. McClain told Fox News Digital that he felt his work enhanced existing qualities that helped members of the conference win elections.
“People want to help. They want to be engaged. They want to feel a part of something. And I think my job as a conference chair, I can help give them a platform,” she said.
Like Trump, he made a living in business before entering politics. Before being elected to Congress in the 2020 races, McClain ran a 700-person financial planning firm in her home state of Michigan.
When asked why he decided to run, McClain joked, “I blame it on my daughter.”
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McClain said President Trump’s messaging style makes his job easier. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“So we have Sunday dinner, and that’s my time to hold court,” he recalled. “I was on my soapbox about something. And my daughter Ryan looked at me… ‘You can be part of the problem or part of the solution.'” She was being sassy “Why don’t you run for Congress and do something about it?” So he planted the seed.”
But since being elected, McClain said she’s brought at least one lesson from the business world with her: relationships.
“We’re stronger together as a team. And the more people you have on the team, the better you are,” he said.
This week, she and a team of House Republican leaders sat down with Trump to discuss his agenda.
However, these relationships extend beyond their fellow lawmakers.
McClain will now be a regular presence at the House GOP leadership’s weekly news conference, alongside Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer. (Getty Images)
Her predecessor, Rep. Elise Stefanik, RN.Y. — whom McClain praised during his interview — was known for operating in a closed circle and largely kept the media at a distance.
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But McClain is known for her openness with reporters, both through casual chats on Capitol Hill and occasionally sparring with members of the media about tougher issues.
“You want to tell a story, I want to tell a story. So if we work together, as long as we’re being fair or respectful to each other, I think we can work together to help shape that narrative of what the story is .we’re trying to say that,” McClain said. “Because at the end of the day, if I don’t share my narrative with you about what the story is that we’re trying to tell, you’re going to make up a story on your own. Why wouldn’t we work together to share that story?”
