September 10, 2016, 02:52 pm
Priebus blasts Clinton's 'contempt' for 'ordinary Americans'
By Harper Neidig
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus on Saturday blasted Hillary Clinton for her “basket of deplorables” comment, saying it shows the candidate’s “contempt” for ordinary people.
“By referring to millions of Americans as ‘deplorables’ and ‘irredeemable,’ Hillary Clinton is showing her outright contempt for ordinary people and proving yet again why Americans overwhelmingly regard her as dishonest and untrustworthy,” Priebus said in a statement.
“Insulting everyday Americans to a group of wealthy donors shows whose priorities Clinton really has in mind and exposes the hypocrisy of a candidate whose stated desire to unite the country is clearly all for show.”
Priebus added: “Millions of Americans are supporting Donald Trump because they are sick of corrupt career politicians like Hillary Clinton who regard what voters think as an afterthought. The truly deplorable thing in this race is the shameful level of condescension and disrespect Hillary Clinton is showing to her fellow citizens.”
Clinton triggered a flood of criticism after it surfaced Friday night that Clinton, while speaking at a fundraiser in New York, said she could put half of Trump's supporters into a "basket of deplorables" of sexism, homophobia, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia.
She walked back the comment in a statement Saturday, saying she regrets speaking so generally.
In an RNC press call on Saturday, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said Clinton's comments showed her "elitist" perspective on the country.
"I think Hillary Clinton got caught, she has given us an insight into an elitist attitude and what the elites think about normal, everyday, hardworking Americans who are sick and tired of what is going on in this country," Blackburn said.
House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted Saturday: "Hillary Clinton should be ashamed of her comments."
