A spokesman for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence MORE slammed an adviser to rival Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonHillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden MORE for saying she had delivered a speech meant to "shake some sense" into Iowans.

Michael Briggs called the statement, which was attributed to a Clinton adviser by CNN, a "strange" way to gain support.

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"This is a strange way to appeal to Iowans who already have a lot of common sense," Briggs said in a statement Thursday to CNN.

"That's why they picked Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon Trump appointees stymie recommendations to boost minority voting: report Obama's first presidential memoir, 'A Promised Land,' set for November release MORE in 2008 and that's why we are confident they will caucus for Bernie on February 1."

In the speech on Thursday, Clinton criticized the Vermont senator's policies and questioned many of his ideas, saying "theory isn't enough. A president has to deliver in reality," according to CNN.

"Sen. Sanders doesn't talk much about foreign policy, but when he does, it raises concerns," Clinton said. "Sometimes it can sound like he really hasn't thought it through."