Fiorina: Stop talking about women’s looks | McClatchy Washington Bureau

Carly Fiorina, the newly-minted star of the Republican presidential field Thursday, still finds that a woman has a special issue to confront when seeking the White House.

“It's still different for women," she told CNN’s “New Day.” Thursday. "It's only a woman whose appearance would be talked about while running for president, never a man. And that's what women understand."

Republican front-runner Donald Trump had criticized Fiorina’s appearance earlier. During Wednesday’s debate, though, he said she had a “beautiful face.” The look on Fiorina’s face was controlled anger.

Stop talking about women’s appearance, she urged Thursday.“Women are half this nation. Women are half the potential of this nation. But somehow we still spend a lot of time talking about women's appearance instead of their qualifications," she said.

Fiorina, a former business executive, shined in the Wednesday debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Thursday, she told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” she realized that going into the evening, “half the people watching had never heard my name and didn't know I was running for president. And so it was a really important opportunity for me to continue to introduce myself to the American people.”

She declared herself “satisfied” and was asked if there was a moment in the three-hour marathon if she knew she was doing well.

“I mean, yes, it was a long debate and I'll tell you what, I had to do it in high heels. But I was paying attention, I was paying very close attention every minute of that debate because every minute counted for me and I wanted to be very aware of what was going on around me.,” Fiorina said.

One of the debate’s most emotional moments came during a discussion about marijuana. Fiorina recalled how her 35-year-old stepdaughter died six years ago after struggling with drug abuse and alcohol.

Fiorina elaborated Thursday.

“I think that during that experience, as well as my battle with cancer, I learned that love and faith heal all, if given enough time. I learned that a life isn't measured in time. A life is measured in love and positive contribution and moments of grace,” she said.

“And I have had good times and bad in my life, as all of us have. I have been tested by life. I've also felt enough of those moments of grace and I'm grateful for the love I have from my family, I'm grateful for my faith and I want to continue to make a positive contribution every day.”