Former Massachusetts Gov. and 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney says recent comments from former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton about the criminal justice system were political in nature and designed to shore up support among the black community.
“I was concerned that her comments really smacked of politicization of the terrible tragedies that are going on there,” Mr. Romney said on Fox News in video flagged by Mediaite. “When she said, ’look, we’re not going to have mass incarcerations in the future,’ it’s like, what is she referring to? We don’t have mass incarcerations in America.”
During an address at Columbia University last week, Mrs. Clinton called for an overhaul to the criminal justice system, including body cameras for police officers nationwide.
She called for an end to “the era of mass incarceration,” saying that “without the mass incarceration that we currently practice, millions fewer people would be living in poverty.”
The remarks, made amid the ongoing tumult over the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray in Baltimore, presented a contrast with the law-and-order policies of her husband, former President Bill Clinton — policies that led to tougher sentences for convicts and more prisons in the 1990s.
“Individuals are brought before tribunals, and they have counsel, they’re given certain rights. … Are we not going to lock people up who commit crimes, is that what she’s suggesting?” Mr. Romney asked.
“I thought it was a very inappropriate thing for her to do, and I think it was political in nature to try and get more support in the African-American community and I think it was a big mistake on her part and simply wrong,” he said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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