Joni Ernst: No, I Wasn’t ‘Feigning Outrage’ Over Being Called Attractive

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2014 file photo Iowa Republican senate candidate Joni Ernst takes questions after debating her Democratic opponent U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley in Indianola, Iowa. As time runs short in the compet... FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2014 file photo Iowa Republican senate candidate Joni Ernst takes questions after debating her Democratic opponent U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley in Indianola, Iowa. As time runs short in the competitive Iowa Senate race, Democrats are trying to tarnish the centerpiece of Republican Ernstís successful Senate campaign _ her appealing image as a down-to-earth farm girl. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth, File) MORE LESS
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Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst said Monday night that she wasn’t faking it when she took offense to Sen. Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) comments on her looks.

Earlier Monday, Harkin said he regretted telling the audience at a local Democratic Party event that if Ernst’s political positions were wrong for the state of Iowa, it wouldn’t matter that she’s “attractive” and “nice.” He also compared her to pop star Taylor Swift.

After Ernst first condemned those remarks, Fox News host Andrea Tantaros said she believed the Iowa Republican was “feigning a little bit of outrage” to capitalize on Harkin’s gaffe.

Fox News’ Megyn Kelly asked Ernst that question directly Monday night.

“I’ve heard some people say that you weren’t really offended, you were feigning your outrage to try to take advantage of something that he probably shouldn’t have said, but he said,” Kelly observed.

“No, I am offended. And I’m offended for every woman that runs for office regardless of party,” Ernst replied. “When they just talk about what’s on the outside, attractiveness, niceness — I am a nice person, but you know what, I’m pretty darn tough.”

As for Harkin’s statement, Ernst said she thought that was “as good of an apology as we will get.”

“I do accept that,” she told Kelly. “It is regrettable that he said those things in the first place, but you know what, just like Taylor Swift says, we’re gonna shake this off.”

Watch below, via Fox News:

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