Heitkamp Calls Clinton's Uncivil GOP Claim 'Ridiculous'

Red-state North Dakota Democrat Sen. Heidi Heitkamp trashed as “ridiculous” a claim by Hillary Clinton that Democrats can’t be civil with Republicans.

In remarks to CNN, Heitkamp argued that civility isn’t a political reward — it’s a political requirement.

“I can’t imagine how you get anything done if you don’t bring civility back into politics, and that goes for both sides,” Heitkamp said.

In an interview with CNN’s Christaine Amanpour aired earlier Tuesday, the former 2016 Democratic presidential candidate asserted, "You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about.”

"That's why I believe, if we are fortunate enough to win back the House and/or the Senate, that’s when civility can start again,” Clinton added. “But until then, the only thing that the Republicans seem to recognize and respect is strength."

Heitkamp — who praised and endorsed Clinton in 2016 — is facing a tough reelection bid in North Dakota, which President Donald Trump won by 36 percentage points, the Washington Post noted.

In March, Heitkamp — asked by her brother in a radio interview when she thinks Clinton will “ride off into the sunset” — responded: “Not soon enough.”

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