An Obama campaign spokesperson said Tuesday that remarks by Rep. James Clyburn (D., S.C.) describing Bain Capital as "raping companies" were "inappropriate."
The incendiary comments describing Mitt Romney and Bain Capital's record came in a Tuesday interview with MSNBC.
ANCHOR: But, congressman, what about the counterargument to that? What about the counterargument that these attacks on Bain Capital -- many see them as an attack on free enterprise as well.
CLYBURN: This is not an attack on free enterprise. I would say to you, [unclear] free enterprise--I don't take contributions from payday lenders. I refuse to do that. That's free enterprise. but there's something about that enterprise that I have a problem with. And there's something about raping companies and leaving them in debt and setting up Swiss bank accounts and corporate businesses in the Grand Caymans. I have a serious problem with that.
A spokesman for Clyburn said the congressman used the word "raping" as a "synonym for rob or plunder," according to ABC News.
The congressman has previously taken money from private equity giant Blackstone Group. Blackstone announced Tuesday it will buy Motel 6 for $1.9 billion.
Moreover, lobbyists comprise one of Clyburn's largest sources of campaign cash, including lobbyists for the payday loan industry. For example, in the current cycle Clyburn accepted $1,500 from Joyce Rogers, a registered lobbyist for payday lender Cash America International.