Michelle Obama rightfully rebuked Eric Holder, the erstwhile U.S. attorney general, this week after he parodied the former first lady’s popular mantra — “When they go low, we go high” — saying instead liberals should “kick” conservatives.
“Michelle always says, ‘When they go low, we go high,’” Holder said during a campaign event over the weekend in Georgia. “No. When they go low, we kick them. That’s what this new Democratic Party is about.”
‘When They Go Low, We Kick Them,’ former Attorney General Eric Holder inciting violence against Republicans. #Midterms2018 #IWpol pic.twitter.com/cMZkK0OjiM
— IWV (@IWV) October 11, 2018
That may be the “new” Democratic Party since the Obamas have passed the mantle (even Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on board with incivility), but that’s not the party Michelle Obama is interested in.
During an interview with NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, Obama didn’t mince words:
Fear is not a proper motivator; hope wins out. If you think about how you want your kids to be raised, how you want them to think about life and their opportunities, do you want them afraid of their neighbors? Do you want them angry? Do you want them vengeful? If we think of the values that we try to promote to our children — Savannah, you’re a mother right now, and at this point, you have to think about the things you’re telling your girls. Which motto do you want them to live by? And I have to think about that as a mother. As someone who is a role model to young girls, we want them to grow up with promise and hope, and we can’t model something different if we want them to be better than that.
.@MichelleObama on @EricHolder's "we kick them" comments: If you think about how you want your kids to be raised, how you want them to think about life and their opportunities, do you want them afraid of their neighbors? Do you want them angry? Do you want them vengeful?" pic.twitter.com/F7WCJSO1vD
— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 11, 2018
After hearing Obama’s comments, Holder took to Twitter to downplay his comments. He told everyone to “stop the fake outrage.”
Ok, stop the fake outrage. I’m obviously not advocating violence. (In fact, when I was AG violent crime in the US was historically low.) I’m saying Republicans are undermining our democracy and Democrats need to be tough, proud and stand up for the values we believe in – the end.
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) October 11, 2018
Holder’s comments and Obama’s rebuttal comes after a contentious battle over newly confirmed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford accused the high court judge of trying to molest her some 36 years ago when they were both teenagers.
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Ultimately, Kavanaugh was confirmed over the weekend by a 50-48 vote.