Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) described female members of the Republican Study Committee — of which he is the chair — as “eye candy” during a press event Tuesday.
“The accomplished men and women of the RSC. And women. If it wasn’t sexist, I would say the RSC eye candy, but we’ll leave that out of the record,” Walker said outside the Capitol during a speech outlining the committee’s goals over the next several months.
WATCH: GOP Congressman calls his female colleagues "Eye Candy" pic.twitter.com/LVfr1QClcm
— American Bridge 21st Century (@American_Bridge) September 26, 2017
Walker later apologized for his “flippant” remark in a statement to CNN.
“During a press event today, I made a flippant remark meant to be light-hearted but fell short. I’m proud of the women who serve in our RSC leadership,” he said.
Walker is a second-term congressman from North Carolina, where he was a pastor before entering politics. This is his first term as chairman of the committee, which has about 160 members, only 16 of which are women. Walker serves the 6th District of North Carolina.
Several Twitter users pointed out that the caveat of “if it wasn’t sexist” most likely means that whatever your going to say will come out sexist.
“”If it wasn’t sexist, I’d say something sexist. Ah, f— it I’ll say it anyways,”” one Twitter user quipped in response to Walker’s remark.
“If it wasn’t so rude, I’d call Mark Walker a moron,” another user added. “Dear @RepMarkWalker: When you have to start a sentence with “If it wasn’t sexist, I would say,” probably just don’t say it,” tweeted another.
"If it wasn't sexist, I'd say something sexist. Ah, fuck it I'll say it anyways" https://t.co/ohfWvwkfuA
— Chris (@IcemanFTW) September 26, 2017
Dear @RepMarkWalker: When you have to start a sentence with "If it wasn't sexist, I would say," probably just don't say it. https://t.co/wxYBMDnGOT
— CAWP (@CAWP_RU) September 26, 2017
https://t.co/KCw33I1Ruu If it wasn't so rude, I'd call Mark Walker a moron.
— Ric Caric (@riccaric) September 26, 2017
@RepMarkWalker "If it wasn’t sexist, I would say the RSC eye candy…". You DID say it, pig.
— Dr. Sweet.Tea 3.14 (@SweetTea3_14) September 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/nmlima53/status/912732417881907200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fpolitics%2Fgop-rep-mark-walker-sexist-eye-candy%2F
Rep Mark Walker (R NC) so perfectly captures the essence of the GOP's views on women. Only Trump could say it better, "grab them by…."
— Gwendolyn Mccarty (@Gwenjonc) September 26, 2017