Dick Durbin: People Sliming Michelle Obama Deserve The "Hottest Ring In Hell"

Following hard on the heels of this morning's L.A. Times article, warning of further forthcoming attacks on Michelle Obama, and Maureen Dowd's NYT column detailing the same, Illinois Senator and Obama-backer Richard Durbin offered up some choice, unminced words, assailing those who would traffic in such fare, telling MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell: "The hottest ring in Hell is reserved for those in politics who attack their opponents' families."

[WATCH.]

O'DONNELL: Can I ask you, too, about what Maureen Dowd wrote in today's New York Times about the Republicans targeting Michelle Obama. She wrote: "It's good news for Obama that Hillary's out of the race. But it's also bad news. Now Republicans can turn their full attention to demonizing Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama is the new, unwilling contestant in Round Two of the sulfurous national game of 'Kill the witch.'" What's your reaction to that?

DURBIN: Well, I know Michelle. She has been my friend and a friend of my wife for many, many years. She can take it. She can handle herself. She is a very accomplished person. But I will tell you this: the hottest ring in Hell is reserved for those in politics who attack their opponents' families. And if there are some Republican strategists that think that's the way to win the election, I think they are wrong.

O'DONNELL: Wow, well, there you have it. That's a line. Senator Durbin, very interesting, thanks for joining us. We appreciate it.