Opinion: After Carl Paladino apologizes for coming across as homophobic, video surfaces of him cussing out the AG
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If New York Republican Carl Paladino was Superman he would probably fly around the Earth so fast it would reverse time itself and fix all the bad choices he’s made lately. Sadly he’s just a simple man, and not at all perfect, admittedly.
Sunday, surrounded by Orthodox Jews, he read a speech that could easily be construed as homophobic, intolerant and hateful; Monday he defended those remarks, and Tuesday a video surfaced of the gubernatorial candidate being asked how he would react if the U.S. attorney general tried accused terrorists in Manhattan - his response included the detonation of twin f-bombs.
Paladino apologized Tuesday in written form for what he said Monday about gays, lesbians and their parades, (full text after the jump- with the bonus of a misspelling of the president’s name). But the ‘tea party’ favorite might have to dig back into his bag of mea culpas for this exchange he had with a reporter in March, long before he could have ever expected to actually win the GOP nomination over the heavily favored former Rep. Rick Lazio.
Q: If you were the chief executive of New York, what would your response be to the attorney general of the United States deciding to hold terrorist trials in Manhattan? Paladino: [Very bad word] him. [Very bad word] him.
Although many New Yorkers might agree with the saucy off-the-cuff remark, and its spiciness, others might think that such a lack of professional tact might be the final straw for a man who has already found himself embroiled in the discovery of e-mails ranging from racism to bestiality.
Either way, Paladino today addressed his speech yesterday and seemingly blamed the script - not the author of said script (wasn’t it himself?) - and said in no way was he a homophobe. Indeed, he is a simple man who works hard.
I am Carl Paladino, a father, a husband, a builder and a business owner. I am neither perfect, nor a career politician. I have made mistakes in this campaign - I have made mistakes all my life- as we all have. I am what I am - a simple man who works hard, trusts others and loves his family and fears for the future of our State.Yesterday I was handed a script. I redacted some contents that were unacceptable. I did also say some things for which I should have chosen better words. I said other things that the press misinterpreted and misstated. I sincerely apologize for any comment that may have offended the Gay and Lesbian Community or their family members. Any reference to branding an entire community based on a small representation of them is wrong. My personal beliefs are:1) I am a live and let live person.2) I am 100% against discrimination of any group. I oppose discrimination of any kind in housing, credit, insurance benefits or visitation.3) I am 100% against hate crimes in any form.4) I am in support of civil agreements and equal rights for all citizens.5) My position on marriage is based on my personal views. I have the same position on this issue as President Barrack Obama. I have previously stated I would support a referendum by New York voters. I have proposed Initiative and Referendum so New Yorkers can decide important issues like this.6) The portrayal of me as anti-gay is inconsistent with my lifelong beliefs and actions and my prior history as an father, employer and friend to many in the gay and lesbian community. I am concerned with the future for all our citizens, gay, straight, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim and Agnostic. Although I am not perfect I do admit my mistakes. I will reach out to leaders of the gay community to educate me on how to better represent my support for the rights of all citizens. If elected as your governor I will stand and fight for all gay New Yorkers rights. I ask you for forgiveness on my poorly chosen words and the publication by others not involved with our campaign of unredacted script that did not reflect my oral statement or match my personal feelings. Please go to my website www.paladinoforthepeople.com to learn more detail about the issues including my staunch support for civil rights for all New Yorkers.’
-- Tony Pierce
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