President Joe Biden conveyed an apology through aides to Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday for a Democratic National Committee (DNC) statement mocking the former Arkansas governor after he dropped out of the GOP presidential contest.
Jeffrey Zients, Biden’s chief of staff, called Hutchinson in the morning to express contrition for the DNC’s swipe, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “It did not represent [Biden’s] views. We apologize to the governor,” Jean-Pierre said.
.@PressSec on DNC statement regarding @AsaHutchinson's suspended presidential campaign: "The president has deep respect for Governor Hutchinson…Jeff Zients called the governor to apologize on behalf of the president and it did not reflect his views." pic.twitter.com/ydb8EzKE4N
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 17, 2024
The statement from the DNC came out on Tuesday after Hutchinson suspended his 2024 presidential campaign after a poor showing in the Republican Iowa caucuses. “This news comes as a shock to those of us who could’ve sworn he had already dropped out,” said DNC National Press Secretary Sarafina Chitika.
An array of journalists and pundits, including high-profile figures in the “Never Trump” crowd, condemned the DNC for the statement that critics described as “stupid” and gratuitous.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), who is running a long-shot campaign against Biden for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, took the opportunity to chide the DNC for messaging that was “disrespectful” and “unnecessary.” He added, “I’m embarrassed for my party,” before harping on the DNC’s refusal to hold primary debates and ballot access issues.
In Littleton, NH, Dean Phillips hit the DNC for this statement.
“It’s disrespectful, it’s mean-spirited, it’s unnecessary, and it’s obnoxious. and I’m embarrassed for my party. https://t.co/6KRcByZdyw pic.twitter.com/syhIsPoyNp— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) January 16, 2024
Some reporters noted on Wednesday, following the White House apology, that Hutchinson was a GOP ally to Biden during the COVID pandemic and getting rid of any degree of animosity between them could benefit the incumbent during the general election.
Jean-Pierre said Biden has a “deep respect” for Hutchinson and “admires” the campaign that he ran for the presidency. “The president knows him to be a man of principle who cares about our country and has a strong record of public service,” she added. The White House press secretary refused to divulge whether there was any communication between Biden’s team and the DNC about the group’s messaging.
Asa Hutchinson on Biden's Chief of Staff Jeff Zients calling him to apologize: “I'm grateful for Jeff reaching out to me today…he apologized. It meant a lot to me, and to me, that reflects the good parts of American politics.” pic.twitter.com/TM7ewAE1z9
— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) January 17, 2024
Hutchinson told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Wednesday that he “didn’t pay much attention to what the DNC said” but noted that it was “gratifying to see a bipartisan rebuffing” of the statement.
“I’m grateful for Jeff reaching out to me today … he apologized,” Hutchinson added. “It meant a lot to me. And to me, that reflects the good parts of American politics.”