Journalists asked Hyde Smith eight questions about her controversial comment. She refused to answer each question, stating that she had made a statement yesterday and that she was defending the comments. The comments were made at a press conference, which announced the endorsement of Hyde Smith’s reelection campaign by a pro-life group. In an officially nonpartisan runoff election, Hyde-Smith will face Mike Espy on Nov. 27. Espy is seeking to be the first African American elected in Mississippi history to the U.S. Senate. Espy reacted to her comments via a statement on Sunday afternoon and a appearance on CNN Monday morning. Hyde Smith had previously issued a short statement in which she stated that she used an exaggerated expression to regard. Any attempt to make this a negative connotation was absurd. Phil Bryant, a senator from Mississippi, walked up to the podium at Mississippi Republican Headquarters and took questions. Bryant replied to reporters when Bryant asked why Bryant wasn’t answering their questions. “I think she is… addressing that fact that she has made a statement.” “I can assure you that all of us who work in public life have spoken things that were better formulated at times. This happens when you give as many speeches in public life as you do. But I know this woman, and I know her heart. It was something I knew when I appointed her and it is still my knowledge. Bryant appointed Hyde Smith to the Senate in April. Bryant had not publicly commented on the matter. He did however, offer a strong rebuke to fellow Republican state senator Chris McDaniel who finished third behind Hyde Smith and Espy for calling black Mississippians “beggars” on a national TV news program. Bryant stated in a tweet that McDaniel’s comments did not reflect the beliefs or practices of the Mississippi Republican Party. Bryant also defended Hyde-Smith, questioning the motivation behind the release. Lamar White Jr., publisher and founder at The Bayou Brief (a non-profit news organization based in Louisiana), posted the video, but has not disclosed its source. “Now, in politics, anyone can say anything they want. They can twist it. You can be accused of many things on social media. She believes — I won’t speak for her — that her statements spoke to it.” Bryant added: “We’re in the middle a political campaign. This will be a benefit for those who oppose Cindy Hyde Smith. It’s worth asking yourself the question, “Where did this video come? I don’t blame the person who took it. But this was clearly intended for a political purpose.” Cindy Hyde Smith is making her first public appearance after the viral video of the “public hanging”. https://t.co/9T7C4PYteW — Mississippi Today (@MSTODAYnews) November 12, 2018 The governor then talked about race relations and other issues. “We have been sensitive about race relations in this State. To open the Civil Rights Museum, I invited the president of the United States. Bryant stated that the African American leaders would not have come to the event if the president of the United States wasn’t there. At Bryant’s invitation in December, President Donald Trump attended opening of Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. This event coincided with the state’s bicentennial. Trump’s visit sparked protests, prompting African American officials such as U.S. Reps John Lewis and Bennie Thomson and Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba to avoid the Trump event. “Today, we discussed the genocide committed against over 20 million African American children. You can see in my heart that I am confused about the source of this outrage. Nobody wants to talk about it. That is a conflict we see. It’s a conflict that we see.” Although the governor claimed the claim was made by Wikipedia, a search on the website did not yield any results. A broad internet search results in many religious and anti-abortion websites repeating the claim but not citing its source. Jordan Russell, Hyde Smith’s campaign manager, abruptly ended the press conference and asked reporters why they weren’t asking questions about abortion, which was the purpose of Monday’s press conference. Russell told reporters that there were substance issues in the race, which he didn’t want them to ask about after the press conference. Russell said, “You can ask the same question ten times and you’re going to get the same answer.” Russell then left the room as television cameras approached him. Mississippi Today has the complete coverage of the historic runoff election between Cindy Hyde Smith and Mike Espy. To support this work, make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today. This will allow us to continue important work such as this story.