Michelle Obama stuck to her positive political philosophy Thursday, rejecting ex-Attorney General Eric Holder’s remark that when Republicans “go low,” Democrats should “kick them.”
“Fear is not a proper motivator. Hope wins out. If you think about how you want your kids to be raised, how you want 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?” the former first lady said on the “Today” show.
“At this point, you have to think about what are the things you’re telling your girls. Which motto do you want them to live by?”
Holder had echoed Hillary Clinton’s comment earlier this week when she called for Democrats to reject civility when dealing with Republicans in the wake of the GOP’s own lack of civility.
“Michelle always says, ‘When they go low, we go high,’” Holder said Sunday at a campaign event in Georgia.
“No. When they go low, we kick them,” he added to applause.
Holder’s and Clinton’s remarks came after the fiercely partisan fight over President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed despite accusations of sexual misconduct as a high school and college student.
Trump dismissed the allegations as a “hoax” cooked up by Democrats to derail his nominee, who adamantly denied the accusations.
He also mocked one accuser, California college professor Christine Blasey Ford, at one of his MAGA rallies.
Asked about the “#MeToo” movement, Michelle Obama said it showed what a “dangerous place” the world is for women and girls.
“I’m surprised at how much has changed, but how much has not changed. The world is a, sadly, dangerous place for women and girls,” she added.
“And I think young women are tired of it. They’re tired of being undervalued. They’re tired of being disregarded.”
Trump had also repeatedly lamented that American men accused of sexual assault were unfairly considered guilty until proven innocent, remarks indicative of what Obama said was a predictable backlash to the movement.
“That’s what happens with change. Change is not a direct, smooth path. There’s going to be bumps and resistance. There’s been a status quo in terms of the way women have been treated, what their expectations have been in this society, and that is changing,” she said.
“There’s going to be a little upheaval, a little discomfort, but I think it’s up to the women out there to say, ‘Sorry. Sorry that you feel uncomfortable, but I’m now paving the way for the next generation.’”
Trump, who in February 2016 urged supporters at a rally to “knock the crap out of” hecklers, condemned Holder’s remarks.
“He better be careful what he’s wishing for,” Trump told Fox News on Thursday. “That’s a disgusting statement for him to make.”
Holder served as attorney general under President Barack Obama from February 2009 to April 2015.