As GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina appeared as a guest on Friday's New Day on CNN, co-host Alisyn Camerota took exception with Fiorina, from last night's debate, taking a dig at HiIlary Clinton's marital problems and unorthodox, political-based relationship with her husband.
As the CNN host devoted three questions to pressing Fiorina on the subject, at one point Camerota suggested sexism as she complained that the GOP candidate was "suggesting [Hillary Clinton] should be at home with her husband." Fiorina finally called out the CNN host for "stretching" her words to come to such conclusions.
After playing a clip of Fiorina from the debate declaring that, "unlike another woman in this race, I actually love spending time with my husband," Camerota disapprovingly challenged her: "How do you know if she loves spending time with her husband?"
After Fiorina complained about Clinton "craving power," the CNN host suggested sexism in the GOP candidate's critique of the former Secretary of State. Camerota: "I mean, it's interesting, though, that you, as a woman, would say that she craves power. It's almost as though you're suggesting she should be at home with her husband. You know, you're not saying-"
After Fiorina jumped in to underscore that 'the men are craving power as well," taking a moment to hit GOP candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, Camerota hinted at sexism again as she followed up: "Sure, but, I mean, you decided to talk about Hillary Clinton's marriage. You didn't say that Donald Trump should be at home spending time with his wife."
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Friday, January 15, New Day on CNN:
8:06 a.m. ET
ALISYN CAMEROTA: You always manage to have many memorable lines in these debates, and last night was no different. And, in fact, one of your lines, well, many of your lines, the crowd always seems to eat up. So let's play one that was particularly buzzworthy.
CARLY FIORINA: I'm not a political insider. I haven't spent my lifetime running for political office. The truth is, I've had and been blessed by a lot of opportunities to do a lot of things in my life. And unlike another woman in this race, I actually love spending time with my husband.
CAMEROTA: Okay, so the crowd liked that. That was obviously a dig at Hillary Clinton. How do you know if she loves spending time with her husband?
FIORINA: Look, Hillary Clinton has spent her entire life on a quest for power. She has avoided prosecution more times than El Chapo, honestly. We've run out of gates to describe the scandals. Bill and Hillary Clinton are the ultimate insiders. The Clinton Global Initiative is like a ponzi scheme with Bill and Hillary Clinton on top selling access and influence to our government.So Mrs. Clinton craves power. She once again wants to be in the White House. The truth is, she's more qualified for the big house. That is why I am continuing to talk about the reality that the political establishment of which Mrs. Clinton is example, exhibit A, the political establishment does not serve the interests of the American people.
CAMEROTA: I mean, it's interesting, though, that you, as a woman, would say that she craves power. It's almost as though you're suggesting she should be at home with her husband. You know, you're not saying-
FIORINA: Not at all, not at all. The men are craving power as well. That's what I just said about the second debate. That was a debate between ultimate political insiders. Donald Trump is an insider. Ted Cruz is an insider. And they are arguing over their own power and position. Look, the political establishment exists in both parties. I have said that consistently all along. And the political establishment doesn't serve the American people.
CAMEROTA: Sure, but, I mean, you decided to talk about Hillary Clinton's marriage. You didn't say that Donald Trump should be at home spending time with his wife.
FIORINA: Oh I think you're really reaching here, Alisyn. I linked Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump together. One sits inside government raking in millions handing out influence and access. The other, Donald Trump, sits outside government raking in billions buying people like Hillary Clinton. It's a great game. It's just, it's a game for them. It's not a game for the American people. And I am running for office because I think we need to return power to the citizens of this nation. Which is where it belongs.
