Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) took on CNN’s Carol Costello on Thursday over the partial government shutdown and the GOP’s strategy to delay Obamacare. Costello was also apparently stunned that the Republican congressman suggested that the media are also “part of the problem.”
Costello first questioned Rokita on his decision to accept a paycheck as other government employees face furloughs until Congress can reach an agreement. The CNN anchor then pressed her guest to explain why Republicans are attaching the Obamacare fight to the federal budget fight.
“Don’t make things worse by fighting the same fight over and over again,” Costello said.
“Carol, we seem to go around in circles,” Rokita said.
“Right, we’re going in circles,” Costello replied. “That’s what you guys are doing.”
It was at this point that Rokita told Costello that “you’re part of the problem.”
“The media is part of the problem as well,” he added.
“Oh, come on,” Costello said as if the suggestion was completely false. “That’s so easy. That’s so easy.”
“Carol, you’re beautiful, but you have to be honest as well,” the congressman responded.
Apparently, Rokita’s decision to call Costello “beautiful” has offended enough people that Rep. Rokita issued a statement on the comment: