Jeb Bush and Scott Walker rush to Carly Fiorina's defense: Trump's "inappropriate" attacks must end

Meanwhile, Rush Limbaugh instructs his listeners to not feel sorry for "this ugly woman"

By Sophia Tesfaye

Senior Politics Editor

Published September 10, 2015 4:59PM (EDT)

Carly Fiorina's Republican rivals have rallied to her defense after the leader for the Party's 2016 presidential nomination, Donald Trump, attacked her physical appearance.

In a new Rolling Stone interview, Trump mocked Fiorina as unelectable, pointing to her face: “Look at that face ... Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?!"

According to Google Trends, Carly Fiorina has received more than 20,000 searches after the release of the interview and the lone female Republican presidential aspirant shrugged off Trump's attack in an interview with Fox News' Megyn Kelly -- no stranger to The Donald's casual sexism. "Maybe, I’m getting under his skin a little bit, because I am climbing in the polls,” Fiorina posited.

Bu unlike Trump's attacks on one-time conservative media darling, Kelly, his attacks on Fiorina haven't been met with widespread condemnation from right-wing leaders. (Redstate's Eric Erickson dramatically disinvited Trump from his conservative gathering after the billionaire suggested Kelly was menstruating during the debate.)

"Don’t feel sad for Carly Fiorina," conservative bloviator Rush Limbaugh instructed his so-called "Dittohead" listeners during his radio program today. "My point is she loves this," Limbaugh explained. "Because Carly Fiorina just had her awareness level raised significantly, especially with low-information voters. Here’s Trump out there talking about this ugly woman with whatever else he said.”

Fiorina is, however, being defended by some of her Republican rivals.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush took the opportunity to blast Trump's "demeaning remarks" as "small and inappropriate," arguing that Fiorina deserves better in a tweet this morning:

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker called Trump's attack "shameless":

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton referenced "one particular candidate who just seems to delight in insulting women every chance he gets," during a campaign stop today before offering, "if he emerges, I would love to debate him."

For his part, Trump denied the attack was sexist or even directed at the former HP's executive's face. “I’m talking about persona. I’m not talking about look," Trump told Fox News this morning.

 

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By Sophia Tesfaye

Sophia Tesfaye is Salon's senior editor for news and politics, and resides in Washington, D.C. You can find her on Twitter at @SophiaTesfaye.

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Aol_on Carly Fiorina Donald Trump Gop Civil War Gov. Scott Walker Jeb Bush Rush Limbaugh Sexism Twitter