The press gets all "atwitter" about a Democratic gaffe. What do you know?
Minn. Candidate Denies 'Whore' Comment
Nov 4, 12:12 AM (ET)
By MARTIGA LOHN
(AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Democratic gubernatorial candidate faced a potential setback for a second day Friday, denying a newspaper report that said he called a male reporter "a Republican whore."
Hatch at first denied using the word. In a debate Friday night, he said he might have used that language but didn't believe that he did.
Forum Communications Co., which owns several Minnesota newspapers, reported that Hatch lashed out at a reporter questioning him Thursday about a gaffe by his running mate, Judi Dutcher.
Dutcher had earlier gotten stumped by a question about the ethanol fuel blend E-85; Minnesota is a major ethanol producer.
The newspaper chain said Thursday that reporter Scott Wente asked Hatch via telephone about Dutcher's knowledge of ethanol and why she wasn't available to discuss the issue. The account said Hatch abruptly ended the interview with: "You're nothinag more than a Republican whore. Goodbye," and then hung up.
"My recollection is that I said a Republican hack," Hatch said. He said he offered to put Dutcher in touch with Wente, whom he described as "very aggressive."
"He kept asking about why didn't Judi know, and I simply didn't have the answer," Hatch said. "I said, 'Do you want to talk to her?' He was very, very aggressive. I said, 'Listen, you're acting like a Republican hack. I'm going to get her to call you.'"
Hatch, who has led in most public polls lately, said the reporter has a tape of the interview.
---
Full story: apnews.excite.com |
