GOP senator demands Democrats be 'intellectually honest' in their Mark Robinson attacks

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Wednesday blasted "political hacks" who are suggesting embattled Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson could harm the party up-ballot, and slammed Democratic attacks against his party, pointing out that Vice President Kamala Harris once praised Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Tillis told Raw Story on Wednesday that he doesn't believe Robinson will have an up-ballot impact on North Carolina ballots and called those who suggested as much "political hacks."

He said Robinson still has time to build a case, file a lawsuit and "clear his name."

"But we have an election and it's not going to change the date. So that needs to happen pretty quickly," he said. "Otherwise we have to move on."

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Tillis said Robinson has to come up with a "credible defense," sue KFILE — which broke the story — and sue CNN, or else the party will have to move forward, acknowledging there is "exposure" to down-ballot races.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC )joined Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Tillis and in telling Raw Story on Wednesday that Robinson has work to do to convince voters the report is false.

"I don't know what to make of it. It's some very concerning stuff," said Hudson.

Tillis also slammed Democratic attacks against Republicans who previously endorsed Robinson.

"If the Democrats say, 'shame on people' for not reading minds, and knowing something they couldn't possibly have known," he said, that's akin to saying, "Shame on Harris for saying nice things about Diddy. Would she today? No. Has she in the past? Yes. So It's just being intellectually honest with each other."

Combs was arrested this month and charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking in federal court. Federal prosecutors said he "established a criminal organization" to exploit and intimidate women for sexual purposes.