Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) supports GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, saying she thinks Fiorina is the “best person” to run against Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. But when it comes to criticizing GOP leadership, Jenkins says Fiorina shouldn’t get involved.
In a previous interview with Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle, Fiorina said that if Congressional leaders do not deliver results, they should go.
Looming in Congress is a measure put forth by Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) to remove Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) from his leadership position. A Public Policy poll conducted in June suggested Boehner’s approval rating is only at 22 percent, with 62 percent of voters viewing him unfavorably.
Jenkins made news headlines earlier this month when she said she didn’t work for Boehner.
When she was asked whether Boehner might bring up the fair tax plan for a floor vote, Jenkins replied, “We don’t really care what House leadership thinks anymore, according to The Wichita Eagle,” The Hill reported. “I just want you all to know I don’t work for John Boehner. He works for me,” she stated during an event with a former member of Senate GOP leadership, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS).
Jenkins spokesperson Jeffrey Levicki later said her statement was taken out of context.
“The Congresswoman strongly believes that as Congresswoman and Vice Chair of the Conference, she works for her constituents in Kansas and the Republican Conference, respectively, not the other way around,” Levicki stated. “The same is true of Speaker Boehner.”
Because Jenkins is the fifth-ranking Republican in House leadership under Boehner, Breitbart News asked her what she thought of Fiorina’s statement.
“I don’t think she needs to get involved like I said with the palace intrigue. She’s doing well running on her record and her vision for a strong America. I hope she sticks with that message,” Jenkins told Breitbart News.
When asked why Jenkins decided to endorse Fiorina, she explained:
I think Carly Fiorina is exactly the strong steady no nonsense business woman that our nation needs and it’s clear to me that this is a woman who was not handed anything, she had to fight for every bit of success that she’s achieved and when I think of the critical challenges our nation faces, whether it’s job creation or domestic issues, dictators and terror international, I can think of no one better than Carly Fiorina.
Fiorina, if the Republican nominee, would potentially face off against a female presidential candidate in Democrat Hillary Clinton – who has a larger name recognition than Fiorina.
Jenkins said she isn’t worried about the issue of name recognition.
I think Carly is the best person, actually, to run against Hillary Clinton in the general election. She has proven over and over again she is not afraid to hold Hillary accountable for her failures and Carly’s personal narrative of success in the private sector, I believe, stands in stark contrast to a career political operative with a largely failed and empty record on the national stage, so I believe Carly is the best person to run against Hillary.
Jenkins said that since the GOP primary debates, Fiorina has made herself known and stood out among the other GOP candidates.
“Certainly prior to the debate, she had one of the lowest name recognitions in the race with almost half of Republican primary voters in a way not knowing her name or who she was and I’ve been impressed with her performance in the debates,” Jenkins stated.
Jenkins added, “She’s really laid out her vision for America and she’s demonstrated an in depth knowledge of the issues. So, I think she’s the one that’s going to offer the solution to the nations problems which is what we’re all looking for.”
She also complimented Fiorina on her knowledge and experience on the international stage, noting Fiorina has worked closely with foreign leaders.
“I want a strong woman who’s going to put good sound conservative economic and social policies forward and then fight for them with the same passion she has fought all her life,” concluded Jenkins.
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