He didn’t need a three-morning-show tour to apologize: Carl Paladino said he was sorry for harboring such awful views about the gays, which he so boldly articulated Sunday, in a 400-word statement. It comes just a day after he got done touring the major network’s morning programs insisting he was the one being mischaracterized by the media. “If elected as your governor, I will stand and fight for all gay New Yorkers’ rights,” says Paladino now. Not good enough for some his gay critics (Christine Quinn, Brian Ellner, the editors at this website). And perhaps too late even for possible Republican supporters: Folks like Paladino and Christine O’Donnell have already been pushed to the margins by the GOP, and a mini too-little-too-late sorrow song won’t be enough to save ’em. What’s funny: After coming to his defense, Ann Coulter now finds herself the only one supporting Paladino’s remarks; even he won’t do it anymore.
His full apology riff:
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.
matt
it is unbelieveable how many extreame Teabaggers are still embracing this guy… even many Jewish groups. Makes one wonder what are these Jew’s real issues? Embracing people that re-enact member organizations that play out murdering their community. Next will be the GOP endorcing and re-enacting the Taliban fighters.
Nick
I don’t know his apology seemed pretty heartfelt. I can see how somebody running for office could go on autopilot and wind up reading some things he hadn’t written and seen before. There are much better reasons for voting against him — the economy, etc.
The Milkman
Nick’s right. The reason people aren’t falling all over themselves to accept his apology is because they choices are ridiculous… either he’s a homophobic bigot and deserving of scorn, or he’s an idiotic puppet being manipulated by the homophobic bigots in the party. The former is all too common. The latter is just pathetic, and reminds one of Bush the younger. Neither choice is particularly palatable.
Cam
@matt: said..
“it is unbelieveable how many extreame Teabaggers are still embracing this guy… even many Jewish groups. Makes one wonder what are these Jew’s real issues?”
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MANY Jewish Groups? Is this a joke, the Jews as a whole are the religeon in the nation that has the highest support for gays, this is even if you include in those right wing Orthodox fools. They perform gay Weddings in the Reform Jewish Temples, which are the largest denomination.
JoeyO'H
How can the media be blamed for his misinterpretation? Are you kidding me Paladino. These morons think they can say whatever the hell they please, then the backpaddling, then they point fingers at the media outlets for taking things out of context?
Paladino said what he said, now he’s sorry, blaming the media (per usual). No one forced fed him his statements yet he’s not man enough to own up to them. Paladino is nothing more than a self serving teabagging pussy!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
This man has amassed a multi million dollar real estate empire. He is far from stupid or someone who can be easily duped. He is nothing more than a pandering bigot who is playing to the lowest common denominator in an attempt to corral the “throw the bums” out movement especially prevelant in the clusterfuck of what is Albany politics.
When he was confronted with the question of whether being Gay was a choice he was informed his Gay nephew told him he was born that way and had no choice in the matter. Palladio replied he had “issues accepting that” to the media. He was willing to toss his own nephew under the bus to pander to the hatefull orthodox jews. His nephew who is a member of his campaign staff has not been to work since this erupted. He has not left his home. We can only hope this kid comes out strong and calls his contemptible loathsome Uncle out as the vile bigot he is……..
Kieran
It’s obvious that Carl Paladino doesn’t think much of gay people, but I’d be willing to bet you dollars to bagels that he secretly thinks even less of those sinister, hideous-looking Hasidic Jews that were surrounding him as he read the anti-gay speech they wrote for him.
Alex
I HATE how obama’s ridiculous stance on marriage lets gives all the goons like paladino off the hook.
Jim
I agree with Alex. Most Dems won’t publicly support or vote for our right to marriage either. It’s a disgrace and it’s time we refuse to vote for any Democrat who won’t support full equal marriage.
PS: It’s spelled “Barack” (one ‘r’).
Jimmy Fury
@Alex: Obama’s backward ass stance on marriage doesn’t let anyone off the hook, not even Obama.
My main thought, which I have anytime one of these assclowns makes this claim, is that if he has so many gay friends… where are they?
If he’s so cool with the gays that he’s inviting them to horse-porn poker night then let’s hear from them.
kevinVancouver
im fortunate that in Canada the only teabaggers we have are Orange Pekoe and Earl Gray….
UpStaircase
Maybe because your gov’t isn’t so inept so you didn’t have a need for them like the U.S. does, Vancouver.
Ran
I think it proves he’ll talk out of every side of his mouth just to get elected. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe Orthodox Judaism is supportive of who we are, like other segments of Judaism. It seems he was pandering then and pandering now. Next contestant, please.