Philippe Reines, a former aide to Hillary Clinton, pushed back against Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) after she said in an interview that former President Bill Clinton should have resigned during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
The New York Times interviewed Gillibrand on Thursday and asked her whether Clinton should have resigned because of his affair with the former White House intern in the late 1990's, prompting her to respond, "Yes, I think that is the appropriate response."
"Things have changed today, and I think under those circumstances there should be a very different reaction," Gillibrand continued.
Reines didn't agree.
"Ken Starr spent $70 million on a consensual blowjob. Senate voted to keep POTUS WJC. But not enough for you @SenGillibrand? Over 20 yrs you took the Clintons’ endorsements, money, and seat. Hypocrite. Interesting strategy for 2020 primaries. Best of luck," Reines fired back on Twitter.
Ken Starr spent $70 million on a consensual blowjob. Senate voted to keep POTUS WJC. But not enough for you @SenGillibrand? Over 20 yrs you took the Clintons’ endorsements, money, and seat. Hypocrite.
Interesting strategy for 2020 primaries. Best of luck.https://t.co/KIsnfY4WLT
— Philippe Reines (@PhilippeReines) November 17, 2017
Gillibrand's comments on inappropriate sexual behavior in politics come at a time when more women are coming forward across the country to tell their stories of being sexually assaulted and harassed by powerful men in the entertainment industry and political arena. Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein and Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey have been two of the most prominent celebrities to be accused of making unwanted sexual advances.
The senator from New York was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton's failed 2016 presidential bid and has received endorsements and campaign contributions from the Clintons and their allies since she ran for Hillary Clinton's old Senate seat.
Gillibrand sent out a tweet last April of her and Bill Clinton campaigning together on behalf of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
.@BillClinton & I stopped for coffee in #Pulaski, #NY, spoke w/New Yorkers about why we support @HillaryClinton! pic.twitter.com/YJ0V8n067a
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) April 16, 2016
Reines was an adviser to Hillary Clinton during her tenure in the Senate, at the State Department, and during her 2016 presidential campaign.