Republican fumes at GOP senator's 'stupid' attack on poor people: 'Never do an interview!'

Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) is taking heat from a member of his own party after saying in an interview that poor people are not skilled at "navigating the real world" because they're too dependent on handouts.

"People living in poverty are just not very experienced at navigating the real world, right?" said Husted, a former secretary of state and lieutenant governor appointed to the Senate seat vacated by now-Vice President JD Vance. "I remember talking to one young lady who said, 'Well, I don't really know how money works at a grocery store,' because she grew up and has lived all of her adult life using SNAP cards to buy groceries. You literally have to teach people how to budget."

Former Rep. Jim Renacci, who was the Republicans' unsuccessful nominee against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in 2018, took to Facebook to rage against Husted — and push back against people trying to defend him.

"This guy needs to never do an interview!!!!" Renacci fumed, posting a link to the interview excerpt of Husted.

When another commenter argued to him that Husted was right because "generational welfare" doesn't do anything but teach you "how to work the system," Renacci clapped back.

"I really don't understand your comments," wrote Renacci. "I was poor. My parents had very little. We survived. I did well. He is waving a broad brush with stupid comments. He should not have been appointed to the Senate. He spent his entire life trying to be Governor. He is now in the wrong world and his interviews prove it."

Husted, who faces a strong challenge from Brown as he attempts a Senate comeback, has faced a politically awkward week, having been made to testify against longtime political allies in a landmark bribery trial.