Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus was on a rhetorical roll Thursday. In an interview with Bloomberg TV set to air this weekend, Priebus said the so-called “war on women” is a Democratic fabrication perpetuated by the media, as frivolous as a “war on caterpillars.”
“Well, for one thing, if the Democrats said we had a war on caterpillars, and every mainstream media outlet talked about the fact that Republicans have a war on caterpillars, then we have problems with caterpillars,” Priebus said. “The fact of the matter is it’s a fiction,” Priebus continued, and it started as a “war against the Vatican.”
Regardless, Bloomberg’s Al Hunt reminded Priebus that the GOP does, in fact, have a gender gap problem. “How big a problem is it? How do you close it?” he asked. By focusing on jobs, Priebus said, without focusing on women at all in his answer.
Watch the interview:
It wasn’t the only interview Thursday where Priebus got testy. When CNN’s Carol Costello — of “Talk Back” fame — presented recent positive economic news to Priebus, the Republican chairman got personal.
“I know how you’re going to vote, Carol, but the reality is that the American people don’t feel better off today than they were three or four years ago.”
Republican candidates want to make it easier for small businesses to hire, Priebus said. Well, President Obama is signing the JOBS act today, Costello tried to interject.
“Do want me to answer your question, Carol, or not?” Priebus said. “If you ask a question, you ought to at least allow the guest to answer.”
“I’m just trying to get you off your talking points, but go on,” Costello responded.
“Well you’ve been reading the Democratic talking points for the last seven minutes, Carol.”
“If you say so,” she countered.
Watch the whole exchange:
The RNC did not return TPM’s request for comment.
David Taintor
David Taintor is TPM’s News Editor. He contributes to TPM’s Livewire coverage, among other areas. David is from Chanhassen, Minnesota, where, yes, it gets very cold. Reach him at taintor [at] talkingpointsmemo.com
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