Armpits make terrible homes.
For President Donald Trump's pick for the Federal Reserve Board, that means no one would want to live in Cincinnati and Cleveland.
Stephen Moore's video is out in 2014 calling Cincinnati and Cleveland some of the “armpits of America.”
“If you live in the Midwest, where else do you want to live but Chicago?” Moore said in the video, which was taken at an event held by the Libertarian think tank The Heartland Institute as Moore promoted a book.
“You don't want to live in Cincinnati or Cleveland or, you know, those armpits of America. You want to live in Chicago.”
The crowd laughed.
Ohio's senior senator, Sen. Sherrod Brown, didn't find it so funny.
The Cleveland Democrat sent a letter Tuesday to Moore asking for an apology and retraction.
“You didn't just insult Cleveland and Cincinnati — you fired millions of Americans who work and live in small towns throughout the industrial heartland and who have been scorned and left behind by Washington and Wall Street for decades,” Brown said. He wrote.
Brown went on to brag about Cincinnati's economy, highlighting Procter & Gamble, Kroger and General Electric Aviation, possibly proof that if Cincinnati were a body part, it wouldn't be an armpit.
Brown also brought to Moore's attention the Underground Railroad and Cincinnati's role as a slave haven before the Civil War, as well as Cincinnati's status as the birthplace of professional baseball and Reform Judaism.
Brown said that comment disqualifies Moore for the Federal Reserve Board. Brown asked Moore to provide a list of other Midwestern cities that he believes are America's armpits.
“On behalf of the people of Ohio, the Midwest, and every community that has been scorned and belittled by Washington and Wall Street, I apologize and demand that you publicly retract your statement,” Brown concluded.
Since Trump selected Moore as his choice for the Federal Reserve Board, Moore has come under fire for other past comments about women and his lack of faith in the American government.
“Capitalism is far more important than democracy,” Moore said during an interview in Michael Moore's 2009 documentary Capitalism: A Love Story.
Moore apparently also had some controversial views on female athletes and broadcasters. He he wrote in a 2001 column he has “ground rules” for his wife to follow during the NCAA tournament, such as not being allowed to talk to him.
A year laterhe also called female basketball referees “outrageous” and “obscene.”
The White House declined to comment when contacted by The Enquirer.
Ohio's other senator, Republican Rob Portman, has not said where he stands on Moore. His spokesman, Kevin Smith, called Moore's comments about Ohio a bad joke.
“If Stephen Moore meant it as a joke, it was bad,” Moore said. “If nominated by the president, Rob will carefully consider his record and qualifications for the role.”
Sherrod Brown in 30 seconds
Sherrod Brown is a possible Democratic presidential candidate. Who is this?
Wochit
