DNC chair discusses Tucson shooting, Tea Party. RNC chair calls her comments “pathetic”
In an interview earlier today on CNN’s John King, USA, chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus spoke with CNN’s John King about the tension in the GOP primary presidential race. King also asked Priebus for his reaction to recent comments made by the chairwoman of the Democratic Party Debbie Wasserman Schultz about the Tea Party. A highlight from the transcript is after the jump.
Please credit all usage of the interview to CNN’s John King, USA
Highlight from Full Interview
THIS IS A RUSH FDCH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: And finally tonight, the chairwoman of the Democratic Party, Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, she took a big swipe at the Tea Party today. Listen here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DNC CHAIR REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D), FLORIDA: We need to make sure that we tone things down, particularly in light of the Tucson tragedy from a year ago. I hesitate to place blame, but I have noticed it take a very precipitous turn with – towards edginess and a lack of civility with the growth of the Tea Party movement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: John, you spoke with the head of the Republican Party a short time ago. He says blaming the Tea Party is simply pathetic. Listen here to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REINCE PRIEBUS, RNC CHAIRMAN: Well, as usual, I think she’s – she speaks a little too much and went on a little too far, and certainly any insinuation that somehow such a tragedy would occur because of, you know, a movement to get our government and our spending and our debt under control is ridiculous, and I think she ought to apologize and admit the stupidity of that comment. And to take such a tragedy and such a remarkable story and to try to score political points on it – it’s just – it’s pathetic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: Some emotional words on both sides, John.
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