Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson slammed White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s comments as ‘low’ and ‘mocking’ – as well as anti-woman – after appearing to mock of President Biden’s main declared rival.
The self-help author unloaded on Biden’s spokeswoman in a Posting on Twitter online, a day after Jean-Pierre strayed from his usual standards of political abstention from the White House podium – apparently mocking Williamson when asked to comment on his candidacy, with a response that mentioned a crystal ball and an “aura”.
She sued Jean-Pierre by name and defended her right to run a primary against Biden as a woman — even recalling Biden’s vow to fire anyone on his team who spoke disrespectfully of others.
“I was so sad to see President’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s comment about me about crystal balls – which I have never spoken or written about, and auras – which I never I’ve ever spoken or written – and just to speak so derisively and in such salient terms about someone running for President of the United States,” she said. “And as a wife, and it’s the Democratic Party?”
The clash came days after Williamson announced his decision to challenge Biden. Williamson, who appeared to be speaking from home, continued: ‘I have a constitutional right to run and my candidacy is on substantive issues and policies. I’ve made it clear in interview after interview that the president is a nice man and I have no interest in taking personal potshots.
Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson hit back at White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for ‘weak’ and ‘derisory’ comments about her and her campaign
“But apparently the White House, or at least as Karine put it, doesn’t share my commitment to the heights,” she said.
“The hypocrisy here is something we can all see.”
Then she referred to Biden’s pledge, which followed a former President Trump regularly ridiculing his opponents and attacking the media as “fake news.”
“Because the president said on his first day in office that anyone in his administration who spoke disrespectfully of anyone would be fired immediately. Now, I don’t hope that Karine Jean-Pierre loses her job because of that. But I hope that from now on, this low and derisive story about me obviously wanted to get me out of the conversation. I hope this path did not continue. It’s not good for any of us. It’s not good for America. It’s not good. For the Democratic Party,” she said.
Her pushback came about 24 hours after Jean-Pierre searched President Joe Biden’s first and — so far — only Democratic challenger on Monday saying she had no “crystal ball” to consult at this subject.
It’s a phrase Jean-Pierre has used in other contexts before, but it took on a bit more weight when used about Williamson, a self-help writer and spiritual counselor who made herself noted for the emotive language she brings to the political arena.
Then she joked about being able to ‘feel his aura’ – suggesting his comments about the main rival were no accident.
Williamson, who kicked off his campaign Saturday in Washington with a call to ‘disrupt the system’ and fight hate and injustice with love, has repeatedly denied ever speaking or writing about ‘crystals’ or worship. crystals, although the idea somehow became attached to his reputation.
Jean-Pierre, a former Biden campaign adviser, was asked if the president was annoyed or frustrated that she intervened before announcing his own intentions. She brushed it off. “We just don’t follow that. I mean, if I had a – what’s it called, a little globe here, a crystal ball, I can tell you that. But I – a magic eight ball, whatever,” she said.
“If I can feel his aura – I just don’t have anything to share about it,” she said, causing audible cackles in the White House briefing room.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre first dodged a question about President Biden’s reaction to main challenger Marianne Williamson – then said she had no ‘magic eight bullets’ ” in a likely dig at the self-help author
The comment came a day after Williamson vowed to embrace a political system she called out of touch with ordinary Americans and an economic system she called “sociopathic.”
She confronted the national system’s so-called ‘adults in the room’ who she said wanted others to ‘sit down and let them run things’ – a reference to her own non-traditional resume for high office policies.
Jean-Pierre is frequently very cautious on political issues, frequently invoking the Hatch Act – as she did on Monday on a matter involving former President Donald Trump.
Shortly after Jean-Pierre’s comment, Williamson’s campaign announced a six-day New Hampshire tour that will take her from Portsmouth to Londonderry, Manchester and beyond.
Jean-Pierre’s comment made the press room laugh (journalists are pictured at the White House last week)
Williamson did not directly attack Biden in his remarks.
A new poll by Morning Consult showed Biden had 77% support among Democrats – but Williamson had 4% support.
Another 9% favored “someone else”, in a poll taken after Williamson’s announcement, which drew modest media coverage.
Biden has yet to announce his own campaign, but first lady Jill Biden gave the impression that he was introducing himself in a recent interview, and he has repeatedly said he intends to do so.
On Friday, environmental activist and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told a New Hampshire crowd that he was considering running.
“I’m thinking yes. I cleared the biggest hurdle, my wife gave it the green light,” said the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who was a presidential candidate.
Biden has done a lot to woo the left of his party to avoid a possible primary challenge. But the DNC’s decision to move South Carolina’s primary ahead of New Hampshire offers opponents a potential place to get political oxygen. That could happen if New Hampshire decides to hold its first primary anyway, as required by state law, and Biden declines to participate.
