RNC Chair Reince Priebus: GOP's Problem Is the 'Biologically Stupid Things That People Say

AP

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said this week the GOP's problem isn't the party platform -- it's the "biologically stupid things" its members have said.

Priebus made the comments to reporters in Iowa on Thursday, where he dismissed the notion that Republicans should moderate their positions.

“Listen, I don’t think our platform is the issue,” Priebus said, according to Radio Iowa. “I think a lot of times it’s some of these biologically stupid things that people say, you know, that I believe caused a lot of the problems.”

Priebus pointed to former Missouri Congressman Todd Akin's remark about "legitimate rape," which ignited controversy and prompted calls for him to withdraw from the Senate race against incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill.

Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock made another "rape" remark during the campaign, saying pregnancies resulting from rape were "something God intended to happen" and shouldn't be terminated.

Republican strategist Karl Rove recently announced the launch of his "Conservative Victory Project" to stop GOP candidates deemed "unelectable." Preibus said he believes that's the wrong approach.

“Obviously there’s a lot of groups out there that are picking winners and losers in primaries, right? It’s been for happening a long time,” Priebus said. “…Personally, as an RNC (chair), I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe the party should pick winners and losers in primaries and I think it’s, historically, if you look at it, it’s a bit of a fool’s game because you can’t actually predict some of the things that go on."

Priebus was recently re-elected to lead the RNC for another two years.

(h/t Mediaite)