Michelle Obama defends ‘When they go low, we go high’

Former first lady Michelle Obama defended her “when they go low, we go high” motto during an appearance Thursday on NBC’s “Today,” pushing back at Democrats who say the party should fight fire with fire.

{mosads}”Think about how you want your kids to be raised,” said the former first lady, who is preparing to go on a book tour.

“Do you want them afraid of their neighbors? Do you want them angry? Do you want them vengeful?”

She added that “fear is not a proper motivator,” and that “hope wins out.” 

“Fear it’s not a proper motivator. Hope wins out.” @MichelleObama on her motto, “When they go low, we go high.” #DayOfTheGirlTODAY pic.twitter.com/XyKW1w4AM8

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 11, 2018

“When they go low, we go high” was a message echoed by Democrats after the former first lady first uttered the phrase during a memorable and well-received speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

The first lady’s words came amid the most negative presidential campaign in memory. But Republicans got the last laugh when President Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the general election. 

Since Trump won, he has taken a scorched-earth approach to opponents and critics, and a number of Democrats have called on their party to take on a more bellicose tone.

Clinton on Tuesday said that “you cannot be civil” with the Republican Party because it “wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about.”

Her comments were later criticized by some Democrats, including centrist Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), who is facing a tough reelection battle. 

The tougher stand is popular with many in the party, however. 

Former Attorney General Eric Holder, seen as a close ally of former President Obama, called for a combative party in Wednesday comments.

“When they go low, we kick them,” he said. “That’s what this new Democratic Party is about.”