This is nothing new for mouthpieces. In fact, it’s pretty much standard training for anyone who takes a job in DC. When I went to work for an environmental lobbying advocacy group in DC, I went through media training where we were specifically instructed how not to answer questions directly, how to insert our own agenda in to the conversation, and how to get out of a line of questioning if it wasn’t going your way or you messed up. That last strategy was basically to swear like a sailor because then whoever was interviewing you wouldn’t be able to use the tape. Needless to say, that strategy is not a good one nowadays; it has a tendency to bite you in the ass when you forget you’re on live TV, and also “hot mike” clips end up getting released in other ways…
What makes Kellyanne so good at stymieing reporters is both how transparent she is about it, her effective use of lies (“you can’t fact check 'em as fast as I can make 'em up!”), and how obtuse she can be. It’s not predictable as it is with many others because it’s so tangential. I think it’s because she’s not that bright, but I’m sure others would say it’s proof that she’s brilliant.
