Hillary Clinton lambasted Jeb Bush on Facebook Monday, calling his comment that Democrats offer “free stuff” to African-American voters “deeply insulting.”
In a question-and-answer session, Clinton compared Bush to Mitt Romney — whose comments about low-income voters helped doom his 2012 candidacy — and Donald Trump.
“I think people are seeing this for what it is: Republicans lecturing people of color instead of offering real solutions to help people get ahead, including facing up to hard truths about race and justice in America,” Clinton wrote.
“Not to mention — Republicans have no problem promising tax breaks and sweetheart deals to their corporate friends, but when Democrats fight to make sure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care, early childhood education and job training, that’s giving away ‘free stuff”?!'” she wrote. “Talk about backwards.”
Bush’s campaign responded to Clinton, saying the former Florida governor is focused on reaching out to all voters and “communicating that conservative principles and conservative policies are the only path to restoring the right to rise for every single American,” according to Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell.
Clinton largely stuck to script in her Facebook Q-and-A, taking more than a dozen questions on paid family leave, drug prices and Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
The Democratic presidential front-runner also criticized Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for offering proposals that she said wouldn’t guarantee paid family leave — her latest shot at GOP candidates over an issue her campaign has highlighted in an effort to reach to lower- and middle-class voters.
“Just last week,” she wrote, “Senator Rubio offered a plan that would offer no guarantee and would do little to provide leave for those who don’t already have it.”
She also took a shot by name at the head of Turing Pharmaceuticals, Martin Shkreli — who came under fire after raising the price of the drug Daraprim from $13.50 to $750, and being called out publicly by Clinton.
She noted that Shkreli has promised to lower the price of the drug, but hasn’t announced its new rate.
“He still hasn’t said how much the drug will cost going forward, and in the meantime, sick patients still have to wait and worry and continue to pay $750/pill. So Mr. Shkreli, what’s it going to be? Do the right thing. Lower the cost today to its original price,” Clinton wrote.
It was an effort to highlight an issue that Clinton’s campaign has made a focus in recent days — including launching a new television ad focused on the prices of prescription drugs. She prodded drug companies to pump money into developing generics on Facebook.
“Force drug manufacturers to justify their prices, make sure they add real value. Require the largest drug manufacturers to invest a minimum amount in R&D. And — a new idea to chew on — let’s explore using some of these new research funds to invest directly in producing generic competitors where none exists,” she wrote.
Clinton also discussed some lighter topics. Among them: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes
She was asked whether she’s “a Pumpkin Spice Latte kind of gal.”
“Ha! The true answer is I used to be until I saw how many calories are in them,” Clinton responded.