RNC Chair Responds to Jim Crow Comparison

Reince Priebus, RNC Chair (REFLECTIONS PHOTO INC.)

The head of the Republican National Committee claims Democrats are hurling voter fraud allegations against Republicans because President Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee "benefit from fraud and cheating."

Chairman Reince Priebus is referring to a DNC fundraising letter soliciting donations by illustrating a story of voter discrimination it claims is worse than those seen in the Jim Crow era, and is very typical these days.

Priebus says it amazes him that the DNC and its chairman would "actually come out with Jim Crow rhetoric as they've done in the past when she's [Debbie Wasserman Schultz] the one that spear-headed this call to cease fire on inflammatory rhetoric." Wasserman Schultz made the same claim this summer claiming in an interview with CNN that Republicans are "literally dragging [the U.S.] all the way back to Jim Crow laws."

"The reality is most Americans can see right through this. Most people know showing a photo ID Is normal, everyday life," Priebus tells Fox News.

The DNC letter in question reads, "Dorothy Cooper grew up in a Jim Crow-divided South, and saw the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 ... Dorothy is 96 years old. In 70 years, she's missed just one election. And she's never had a problem voting - until this year."

The letter goes on to explain that Cooper went to her local driver service center, with several residency and identity documents in hand. But, Tennessee refused to issue her a photo ID because she did not have a marriage certificate.

The DNC claims Republicans are working against Cooper, by passing laws in 40 states, including Tennessee, that "make voting more difficult for everyone - especially for minorities, young voters, and seniors."

Critics of voter identification laws argue they disproportionately impact minorities and young voters who they feel would be most supportive of Democratic candidates.

Priebus points to the fact the Supreme Courts has already ruled 6-3 that these types of voter identification laws don't violate the 14th amendment. He also insists voting in states that have adopted these laws have actually increased. Priebus claims these laws protect people who are voting legally and keeps their votes from "being diluted by a bunch of cheaters."