Shelby responds to Trump ‘RINO’ attack: ‘I was a Democrat at one time — A long time ago, we all were’

Last week, former President Donald Trump weighed in on Alabama’s U.S. Senate race and its two front-runners, former Business Council of Alabama head Katie Britt and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL).

Trump, who has formally endorsed Brooks, also took shots at U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL). In his statement, he called McConnell “Old Crow” and Shelby a “RINO.”

Both Shelby and McConnell reacted to Trump’s remarks in comments given to CNN’s Manu Raju.

“I was a Democrat at one time,” Shelby said to CNN’s Raju. “A long time ago, we all were. I don’t know if the President was. But I’m a Republican. I don’t think anybody questions that up here.”

He also doubled down on his support for Britt.

“Absolutely, she’s the best qualified and the best hope we’ve got in the state,” he said.

McConnell also responded to Trump’s “Old Crow” remarks.

“Actually, it’s quite an honor,” McConnell said to CNN. “Old Crow is Henry Clay’s favorite bourbon.”

The Kentucky Republican did not address his role in Alabama’s forthcoming U.S. Senate election.

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.