Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina began her opening statement during Tuesday’s GOP debate with a personal appeal. The former Hewlett Packard CEO mentioned her battle with breast cancer and how she worked her way up the corporate ladder after starting as a secretary.
“I have been tested,” Fiorina said. “I have beaten breast cancer. I have buried a child. I started as a secretary. I fought my way to the top of corporate America while being called every b-word in the book.”
Watch Fiorina’s opening remarks:
Conservative radio host Steve Deace was not pleased with the only female candidate on the stage.
https://twitter.com/SteveDeaceShow/status/676943244916359168
Unsurprisingly, Deace immediately got a lot of angry responses. Tré Goins-Phillips, assistant editor for conservative news website The Blaze, called the comment “disgusting.” Deace did not agree:
Completely agree. I think a GOP presidential candidate's opening statement being all about her gender is disgusting. https://t.co/oN5TQvDreN
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) December 16, 2015
Later, when Fiorina answered a question about the USA Patriot Act, Deace again tweeted about her remarks:
Well, at least she didn't play the gender card again. https://t.co/XgcQ3CNuOd
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) December 16, 2015
His later tweeted that his wife was not pleased with the remark:
. @amydeace tells me while on point about Carly and gender card I was too vulgar and need to apologize. And my wife is ALWAYS right. So I do
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) December 16, 2015
Deace has endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), saying he is the conservative candidate who can win a national campaign. In response to the support, Cruz said in as statement that “Steve Deace is unwavering in his commitment to conservative principle. He is a truth-teller, a courageous conservative, and a powerful voice for liberty. I am thrilled to have his support and look forward to him helping us reach millions of Americans.”