Former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright famously said there was “a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women”.

It seems apt then, that comments from a CNN reporter calling the American presidential race “a weird girl fight” have been slammed as “condescending”.

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CNN anchor Carol Costello made the comments while talking about the competition emerging between Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton and new Republican hopeful Carly Fiorina.

Costello criticised 60-year-old Fiorina’s campaign video, released overnight, for taking shots at Clinton’s own campaign for being ‘petty’ and ‘ego-driven’.

Clinton, 67, has a distinguished career as a former United States Secretary of State, First Lady and New York Senator.

“What surprises me about Carly Fiorina is she’s sort of setting herself up to be Hillary Clinton’s chief attack dog,” Costello said.

“And Republicans are embracing her. So, it’s turning into this weird girl fight almost.”

CNN correspondent Dana Bash agreed Fiorina was “turning it into one” and accused the Republican of “playing up” her former female CEO status.

Costello quickly clarified her comments and said she wished both women would stop talking about being the first female president because it wasn’t relevant.

“Because at some point, A, you get tired of hearing it. And secondly, if they’re both qualified for the job, being a woman is an aside.”

Twitter users still slammed the CNN anchor for being “sexist” and called on her to “elevate the debate”.

“I wish all Presidential nominations were categorised as ‘weird girl fights’,” one Twitter user said.

Others agreed with Costello however, accusing Fiorina of deliberately attacking Clinton while the former First Lady hadn’t addressed the former CEO at all.

@CarolCNN http://t.co/1vzQrLORZs Really Carol, girl fight? Condescending much?

— Jeanne Fischer (@JeanneFischer33) May 4, 2015

Come on @DanaBashCNN @carolcnn & all journalists – elevate the debate, weird girl fight is as sexist as cat fight https://t.co/iLr84qrtHm

— Well-Spoken Woman (@ChristineJahnke) May 5, 2015

Women in politics being described as having a “weird girl fight”…by another woman. Seriously WTF! https://t.co/vMhw656UV9

— Nikki Bradley (@PrincessFluffy) May 5, 2015

And so the belittling political #sexism begins: CNN host calls Clinton & Fiorina presidential bids ‘weird girl fight’ http://t.co/MiNM1R327t

— Melissa Jo Peltier (@MelissaJPeltier) May 4, 2015

I wish all Presidential nominations were categorized as “weird girl fights” #doublestandard #becausetheyrewomen http://t.co/hcLjMwMmxI

— Sarah Halliday (@SarahJay77) May 4, 2015

Correction: It is a “Weird Girl Fight” ON Clinton. As far as I know Clinton has not addressed Fiorina at all, right? https://t.co/ADlXcUQibC

— anna everett (@anna_everett) May 4, 2015

Yep. @CarolCNN just called @CarlyFiorina POTUS bid “a weird girl fight” between Carly and Hillary. Referred to her as “attack dog”

— Jazz Shaw (@JazzShaw) May 4, 2015