RNC defends DNC chairwoman as a ‘working mother’

The Republican National Committee is taking the unusual position of defending the head of the Democratic National Committee, a possible way to turn the “war on women” line of attack back on Democrats.

{mosads}RNC Communications Director Sean Spicer came to the defense of DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz without being prompted during an appearance on MSNBC Thursday. He was responding to a Politico report that the White House is frustrated with Wasserman Schultz and has cut her out of the loop. 

“I never agree with Debbie Wasserman Schultz on anything, but I will say, as a party chairman, she’s a working mother, she’s out there in Congress,” Spicer said. “What the White House and what others are doing, throwing her under the bus, if they don’t like the job they’re doing they should respectfully ask her to step down, but treating her this way is just really not something that should be done.”

Democrats have repeatedly tried to win over female swing voters for the midterm elections by portraying Republicans as hostile to women.

The RNC piled on in a statement on Thursday. “As the White House continues to see their plunging poll numbers hamstring candidates running in the midterms, it looks like they’ve found their scapegoat in the DNC,” RNC spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski said. “Once again, a lot of leadership coming out of the White House right now.”

White House press secretary Josh Earnest was asked on Thursday if President Obama had “complete confidence” in Wasserman Schultz. He replied that Obama has “strong confidence” in her. 

DNC Communications Director Mo Elleithee, appearing in the same MSNBC segment as Spicer, responded to the report by saying, “We’ve got a great relationship with the White House.”

Asked, “Is there no fact to that article?” Elleithee responded, “You get all sorts of articles that come out of Washington. The proof is in the pudding, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a tireless advocate for Democrats and the DNC is stronger today than it was when I came on board a little over a year ago.”