Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) responded Friday to being called a "hypocrite" by a former Hillary Clinton aide, saying the criticism is "ridiculous."
Former Hillary Clinton adviser Philippe Reines sharply criticized Gillibrand after she told the New York Times that former President Bill Clinton should have resigned after his sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
"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 tweeted Thursday.
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 responded Friday to MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt, saying Reines is wrong and that elected officials should be held to the highest standards.
"Ridiculous, and he's wrong," Gillibrand replied to Hunt. "Bill Clinton did very important things for this country, but my point is about this conversation we are having today, and that we need to have the highest standards for elected leaders, and we have to change what's happening throughout society, and we have to allow people to tell their stories."
Gillibrand initially noted in the Times interview the sexual misconduct climate has changed since the 1990's, when Bill Clinton's relationship with Lewinsky occurred.
"Things have changed today, and I think under those circumstances there should be a very different reaction," Gillibrand said.
Gillibrand has been a strong advocate for the Clinton’s over the years, during 2016 she wrote an essay expressing her inspired support from Hillary Clinton's 2016 election.
"In my adult life, politically, no one has inspired me to get off the sidelines and truly make a difference more than Hillary Clinton has," Gillibrand wrote.
During the Campaign, she also campaigned throughout New York with Bill Clinton.
"Bill Clinton and I stopped for coffee in Pulaski, NY, spoke w/New Yorkers about why we support Hillary Clinton!" Gillibrand tweeted.
.@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