Rubio: I wouldn’t go as far as calling Clinton a ‘traitor’

by Jesse Byrnes - 02/18/16 10:53 AM ET

Marco Rubio on Thursday rebuffed a supporter who called Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton a “traitor,” though he criticized her politics and use of a private email server while secretary of State.

“The Democratic Party today has been taken over by radical elements on the left,” Rubio said during a campaign event in Greenville, S.C., ahead of Saturday’s GOP primary there.

{mosads}”When the leading candidate is an avowed democratic socialist, you know the Democratic Party has gone off the deep end,” Rubio continued, referencing Bernie Sanders and Clinton.

Rubio discussed the FBI’s ongoing investigation into Clinton’s email arrangement, before stating, “She did it because she thinks she’s above the law. They’ve always thought they’re above the law.”

“She’s a traitor!” a man in the audience yelled, according to CNN.

“Well I wouldn’t go that far, sir,” Rubio said before adding, “But I would say that she is someone who thinks that she is above the law.”

When the man continued, mentioning Benghazi, Rubio took the opportunity to criticize the former secretary of State for her handling of the 2012 attacks in Libya.

Candidates’ reaction to incendiary comments from supporters have drawn attention at previous campaign events.

GOP front-runner Donald Trump caught flak in September for failing to correct a supporter at a rally who said that President Obama wasn’t a U.S. citizen and was also a Muslim.

Rubio is battling Trump and Ted Cruz in South Carolina and is campaigning with the state’s Gov. Nikki Haley, who endorsed the Florida senator on Wednesday.