Friday on Fox News Channel’s “On the Record,” Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus discussed the various public attacks going on between the candidates for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.
According to Priebus, it would be preferred if those candidates would observe former President Ronald Reagan’s so-called 11th commandment, which is, “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.” He also suggested they remember the real enemy is the ultimate Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Partial transcript as follows:
VAN SUSTEREN: So what’s with all the name calling in the Republican Party.
PRIEBUS: Well, look, I believe in Reagan’s 11th commandment. I think as a party we have got to keep our eye on the price. We have to be unified as a party. And the prize that we need to be keeping our eye on is Hillary Clinton.
I’m tired of the name calling, from everybody. And I think it needs to stop. I think from whatever source, from every place, the name calling needs to stop and we have to be united as a party.
VAN SUSTEREN: Are you doing anything and making any calls, because, I mean, there are a lot of words to be throwing around. You’ve got Donald Trump throwing a lot. You’ve got other candidates biting back or taking the first swing.
PRIEBUS: Well, look, I don’t really talk about personal calls to candidates because, otherwise, who would want to talk to someone that reveals their calls.
(CROSSTALK)
VAN SUSTEREN: Well, it sounds like it’s herding cats right now. Your job is herding cats.
PRIEBUS: Well, I mean, it’s a little bit like that. But then when you look at polling and you see that Hillary Clinton is losing to candidates in key battleground states straight up with her 100 percent name I.D., I kind of like where we are sitting.
I think that having a varsity squad on the field, having 16 candidates, and none of these candidates are pushovers. I mean, we have got two term governors, senators, a successful business people. I think that it’s a lot for our party to handle but I also think that it’s a great opportunity.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Well, if you’ve got your eye on 2016, the G.O.P. has this autopsy of post 2012. And it says —
PRIEBUS: You say autopsy, I call it the growth and opportunity report.
Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor
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