Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 2, 2006 12:30:44 GMT -5
06.02.2006 - State Controller Alan Hevesi issued groveling apologies yesterday - saying it was "remarkably stupid" for him to inexplicably declare Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) "will put a bullet between the President's eyes."
The Democrat made the stunning gaffe at the Queens College commencement as he praised Schumer's work in Washington and the senator's willingness to take on the White House.
Dressed in a ceremonial gown, Hevesi called Schumer "the man who, uh, uh, how do I phrase this diplomatically, will put a bullet between the President's eyes if he could get away with it."
Later at a hastily called news conference, Hevesi ate a huge helping of crow.
"What I intended to say was that Chuck Schumer is incredibly smart, courageous, willing even to stand up to the President of the United States," Hevesi said.
"What came out of my mouth was that Chuck Schumer is smart and brave and capable of putting a bullet between the President's eyes."
Hevesi called his comment "incredibly moronic," "totally offensive" and "remarkably stupid" - assessments his GOP foes echoed.
He apologized publicly to President Bush and also phoned Schumer with a private mea culpa.
So far, the Queens pol said, he hasn't gotten a call from the Secret Service. There was no immediate reaction from the White House.
Schumer had left the commencement by the time Hevesi made his comments. Schumer's spokeswoman, Risa Heller, said Hevesi "went way too far and it was inappropriate" but that his apologies should end the matter.
But Hevesi's Republican challenger, Saratoga County Treasurer Chris Callaghan, leapt upon the unexpected political gift on the day he was nominated at his party's convention on Long Island.
"Threats against the President are no joke and this incident raises real concerns about Alan Hevesi's fitness to hold public office," Callaghan said in his acceptance speech.
Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno said of Hevesi, "I agree with him. It was incredibly moronic."
The 8,000 Queens College graduates had little visible reaction to the comment. Still, Hevesi apologized to them, too.
The Democrat made the stunning gaffe at the Queens College commencement as he praised Schumer's work in Washington and the senator's willingness to take on the White House.
Dressed in a ceremonial gown, Hevesi called Schumer "the man who, uh, uh, how do I phrase this diplomatically, will put a bullet between the President's eyes if he could get away with it."
Later at a hastily called news conference, Hevesi ate a huge helping of crow.
"What I intended to say was that Chuck Schumer is incredibly smart, courageous, willing even to stand up to the President of the United States," Hevesi said.
"What came out of my mouth was that Chuck Schumer is smart and brave and capable of putting a bullet between the President's eyes."
Hevesi called his comment "incredibly moronic," "totally offensive" and "remarkably stupid" - assessments his GOP foes echoed.
He apologized publicly to President Bush and also phoned Schumer with a private mea culpa.
So far, the Queens pol said, he hasn't gotten a call from the Secret Service. There was no immediate reaction from the White House.
Schumer had left the commencement by the time Hevesi made his comments. Schumer's spokeswoman, Risa Heller, said Hevesi "went way too far and it was inappropriate" but that his apologies should end the matter.
But Hevesi's Republican challenger, Saratoga County Treasurer Chris Callaghan, leapt upon the unexpected political gift on the day he was nominated at his party's convention on Long Island.
"Threats against the President are no joke and this incident raises real concerns about Alan Hevesi's fitness to hold public office," Callaghan said in his acceptance speech.
Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno said of Hevesi, "I agree with him. It was incredibly moronic."
The 8,000 Queens College graduates had little visible reaction to the comment. Still, Hevesi apologized to them, too.