Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson hit back at White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for 'low' and 'derisive' comments about her and her campaign

Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson has denounced comments by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre as ‘low’ and ‘derisive’ – as well as anti-woman – after she appeared to mock President Biden’s declared primary rival.

The self-help author unloaded on Biden’s spokeswoman in a Twitter post online, a day after Jean-Pierre departed from her usual standards for abstaining from politics from the White House podium – apparently mocking Williamson when asked to comment on her candidacy, with a response that mentioned a crystal ball an an ‘aura.’

She went after Jean-Pierre by name, and defended her right to run a primary against Biden as a woman – even recalling Biden’s own vow to fire anyone on his team who spoke disrespectfully about others. 

‘I was so sad to see the commentary of the President’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about me about crystal balls – which I’ve never spoken or written about, and auras – which I’ve never spoken or written about – and just speaking so derisively and in such marking terms about someone who is running for President of the United States,’ she said. ‘And as a woman, and this is the Democratic Party?’

The clash came days after Williamson announced her decision to challenge Biden.  Williamson, who appeared to be speaking from her home, continued: ‘I have a constitutional right to run, and my candidacy is about substantive issues and policies. I have made it clear and interview after interview that the President is a nice man, and that I have no interest in taking personal potshots.’

Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson hit back at White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for 'low' and 'derisive' comments about her and her campaign

Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson hit back at White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for ‘low’ and ‘derisive’ comments about her and her campaign

‘But apparently the White House, or at least as expressed by Karine, doesn’t share my commitment to the high ground,’ she said. 

‘The hypocrisy here is something that all of us can see.’

Then she brought up Biden’s pledge, which came on the heels of a former President Trump regularly ridiculing his opponents and attacking the media as ‘fake news.’

‘Because the President has said on his first day in office, that anyone in his administration who spoke disrespectfully about anyone would be fired on the spot. Now, I’m not hoping that Karine Jean-Pierre loses their job over this. But I do hope that from now on this low, derisive, this narrative about me it just obviously meant to get me out of the conversation. I hope that this path has not pursued. It’s not good for any of us. It’s not good for America. It’s not good. For the Democratic Party,’ she said.

Then, she raised the possibility that the digs could be an attack on people of faith or on women who speak ‘out of turn.’

‘People are watching and I hope that everyone who is watching realizes this is not just about me. They’re not just telling me to – psh, get away like flip her off like a mosquito. It’s about you. It’s about anyone who, first of all, I think, what has faith and takes faith seriously, or is it just about any woman who speaks out of turn? I don’t know. That’s for you to decide. But whichever it is, I hope that we will stop that kind of nonsense. It’s not good for any of us,’ she concluded.

Her pushback came about 24 hours after Jean-Pierre took a dig at President Joe Biden’s first and – for now – only Democratic challenger Monday by saying she didn’t have a ‘crystal ball’ to consult about the matter.

It is a phrase Jean-Pierre has used before in other contexts, but it took some added heft when used regarding Williamson, a self-help author and spiritual counselor who has attracted notice for the emotive language she brings to the political scene.

Then Jean-Pierre joked about being able to ‘feel her aura’ – suggesting her comments about the primary rival were no accident.

Williamson, who launched her campaign on Saturday in Washington with a call to ‘disrupt the system’ and battle hatred and injustice with love, has repeatedly denied ever speaking or writing about ‘crystals’ or crystal-worshipping, even though the idea has somehow become attached to her reputation.

 Jean-Pierre, a former advisor to Biden’s campaign, was asked if the president was annoyed or frustrated that she jumped in before he announced his own intentions. She brushed off the matter. ‘Just not tracking that. I mean if I had a – what is it called, a little globe here, a crystal ball, that I can tell you. But I – a magic eight-ball, whatever,’ she said. 

‘If I can feel her aura – I just don’t have anything to share on that,’ she said, drawing some audible cackles inside the White House briefing room. 

The sparring came days after Williamson launched her primary challenge to Biden Saturday

 The sparring came days after Williamson launched her primary challenge to Biden Saturday

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at first dodged a question about President Biden's reaction to primary challenger Marianne Williamson ¿ then said she didn't have a 'magic eight ball' in a likely dig at the self-help author

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at first dodged a question about President Biden’s reaction to primary challenger Marianne Williamson – then said she didn’t have a ‘magic eight ball’ in a likely dig at the self-help author

The comment came a day after Williamson vowed to take on a political system she called out of touch with ordinary Americans and an economic system she called ‘sociopathic.’

She took on the so-called ‘adults in the room’ in the national system whom she said wanted others to ‘sit down and let them run things’ – a reference to her own non-traditional resume for high political office. 

Jean-Pierre frequently exhibits great caution on political questions, frequently invoking the Hatch Act – as she did Monday on a question about former President Donald Trump. 

Not long after Jean-Pierre’s comment, Williamson’s campaign announced a six-day tour of New Hampshire that will take her from Portsmouth to Londonderry, Manchester, and beyond. 

Jean-Pierre's comment drew laughs in the press room (reporters are pictured at the White House last week)

Jean-Pierre’s comment drew laughs in the press room (reporters are pictured at the White House last week)

Williamson did not directly attack Biden in her remarks.

A new poll by Morning Consult showed Biden getting 77 per cent support among Democrats – but Williamson getting 4 per cent backing.

Another 9 per cent favored ‘someone else,’ in a poll taken after Williamson’s announcement, which drew modest press coverage. 

Biden has yet to announce his own campaign, but first lady Jill Biden gave the impression he was running in a recent interview, and he has said repeatedly he intends to do so. 

On Friday environmental activist and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told a crowd in New Hampshire he was considering a run.

‘I am thinking about it yes. I have passed the biggest hurdle, that my wife has green-lighted it,’ said the son of the slain Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who as a presidential candidate. 

Biden has done much to court his party’s left to avoid a potential primary challenge. But the DNC’s decision to put the South Carolina primary ahead of New Hampshire provides a potential venue for opponents to get political oxygen. That could happen if New Hampshire decides to hold its primary first anyway, as required by state law, and Biden were to decline to take part.

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