Former first lady Michelle Obama rejected comments from Hillary Clinton and former Attorney General Eric Holder suggesting that Democrats should not be civil with Republicans.

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Mrs. Obama joined “The Today Show” for a Thursday morning interview, and host Savannah Guthrie asked about recent comments from Holder about kicking Republicans and from Clinton about dismissing civility with the other side.

“You were famous at the Democratic convention for saying, ‘When they go low, we go high.’ And just this week, the former Attorney General Eric Holder, who worked for your husband, said the Democrats should have a new motto, ‘When they go low, we should kick ’em,'” Guthrie recounted. (RELATED: Former AG Eric Holder: ‘When They Go Low, We Kick Them)

“[Former Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton said, how can we be civil when our opponents are trying to take away everything we stand for, and I just thought, what would you say now about your motto? Do you think it still stands?” Guthrie asked. (RELATED: Hillary Clinton Rejects Calls For Civility In Politics – At Least For Now)

Mrs. Obama said she stands by her motto and thinks Holder’s alternative is not a proper message for children.

“Absolutely. Fear is not a proper motivator,” Obama said. “Hope wins out, and if you think about how you want your kids to be raised, how you want them to think about life and their opportunities, do you want them afraid of their neighbors? Do you want them angry? Do you want them vengeful?”

“Which motto do you want them to live by? And I have to think about that as a mother,” Obama concluded.

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