And now, from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, the Axviles, with your

host, David Axelrod.

One of the great benefits of my side gig as a senior commentator for CNN is that I've

gotten to meet so many interesting people from various points of view on the political

spectrum.

And one of the most compelling has been SE Cup, a vibrant, passionate young, conservative

commentator who I find endlessly interesting, even as I don't agree with her on many things.

I sat down with SE during the Republican Convention Week in Cleveland to talk about her life

for a career and the state of conservatism in the era of Trump.

SE Cup, my friend, we didn't know each other until recently when we started doing CNN stuff

together.

But I'm really interested in how one makes the journey from young ballet dancer to conservative

pundit.

It's a fairly traditional route.

Yes, I know.

Well, you have to be agile if you're going to be in the public arena, I know.

But it is unusual.

You grew up in Massachusetts, is that right?

I did.

I moved around a lot, but and over in Massachusetts is where I lived the most.

What did your folks do?

My mom was a teacher and my dad worked for the same company for 40 years and they kept

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