Carl Paladino: I'm not Homophobic

[sabra]

Source: CBS News

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino today pushed back against the widespread criticism he has received for making disparaging remarks about homosexuality in a speech at a synagogue Sunday. In a series of television interviews this morning, Paladino insisted he is not homophobic -- while standing by his remarks. He also said he is owed an apology from some in the media.

Paladino told Orthodox Jewish leaders Sunday that he doesn't want children "brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality" is acceptable, among other comments.

On the CBS "Early Show" today, the GOP candidate said he made the controversial remarks in an effort to clarify his position on gay marriage and homosexuality.

"I want to clearly define myself. I have of no reservations about gay people at all, none, except for one thing, their desire to get married," he said, adding that he has a gay nephew and gay staffers.

"Never had a problem with any of them, never had a problem in any sense with their lifestyle and we've talked about it often," he added. "...I talk to them about the discrimination that they suffer and I'm sensitive to it."

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20019197-503544.html?tag=stack

[GodlessBiker]

1. He's a terrible liar and a complete asshole.

[hedgehog]

2. "I'm not homophobic" ....... I just pretend to be so for selected

groups until the MSM finds out.

[KurtNYC]

27. exactly -- he should go back to that synagog and tell THEM

Hmmm. What was that word that Meg Whitman was complaining about.... ?

[Caliman73]

3. Sensitive my ass..

"I talk to them about the discrimination that they suffer and I'm sensitive to it."

Yeah, but he still wants to deny consenting adults equal rights and dignity, but no he isn't homophobic. What a complete tool. Paraphrasing what Rachel Maddow says, only Republicans seem to be able to hold completely incongruous and opposing ideas in their heads without the subsequent cognitive dissonance and mental agony.

[47of74]

4. If you believe Mr. Paladino, I have the following for sale...

And as always, cash or paypal is good.

[Arkana]

5. "I'm not homophobic! I just think all gay people are subhuman vermin!"

Asshole.

[treestar]

6. How does he expect anyone to believe that after what he said?

The gall of right wingnuts is appalling. They will say the moon is made of green cheese in a tone that they are certain they will get taken seriously.

[herbm]

7. So he loves his brainwashed nephew. Too bad Palidino is brainashed.

Soul-less political whore, ethicaly challenged and into barnyard sex - or was he brainwashed into it?

[rug]

8. He's not Italian either.

[bdamomma]

31. what is his nationality anyway?

boy, he is sick person. he has some issues, but don't they all.

[TomClash]

9. Nice timing

Just after a defenseless guy gets brutalized in the Bronx for being gay . . .

More like . . . "I'm homophobic but I'm not homosapien."

[closeupready]

10. Methinks he dost protest to much.

n/t

[Ferret Annica]

11. He's not homophobic, except.......

When he moves his lips expressing homophobic rhetoric. What a jerk.

[Irishonly]

12. Bull

That's like someone saying they are not racist while dressed like a KKK member.

Edit misspelled word

[oberliner]

13. He will lose by at least twenty percentage points

That's the good news.

[activa8tr]

19. It should be by 60 percentage points....for the state of NY to have more

than 20% of her population endorsing this guy says terrible things about New Yorkers.

A 70/30 split vote makes me worried about America. This guy is worse than Bush.

[oberliner]

24. He is quite popular upstate

He is also heavily promoted by the RW talk show crowd.

That's how he was able to win the primary and get the tea-party vote in the state regardless of how crazy he is.

Although, thankfully, a lot of RW Republicans aren't planning to vote for him - even though many of them also dislike Cuomo - I am thinking some on their side will sit this one out.

[DesertFlower]

14. carl -- you're a f------g liar.

[nolabear]

15. His remarks on The Today Show this morning were priceless.

"Matt, have you ever BEEN to a Gay Pride Parade? Would you take your daughters to a Gay Pride Parade? There were men in speedos, grinding themselves against one another!"

As opposed to, oh, let's say, women in bikinis and FM Pumps who parade around like prize cattle for the Princess Crown or candidates like Chatty Cathy O'Donnell who base their ads on masturbation and witchcraft? Honey, it ain't wrong, it just gives you the homophobic heebie-jeebies.

[LynneSin]

16. If you don't support giving gays their equal right you pretty much are homophobic

but even moreso - you're an asshole

[matt819]

17. I guess technically that can be true

Although homophobe has been largely used to describe a person who hates homosexuals, the -phobe suffix does mean fear. So, I suppose it's possible, in fact likely, that he doesn't fear gay people. He just hates them and doesn't believe they warrant the same civil rights that he does.

[activa8tr]

18. And the 90 year old woman that called C-Span to speak to the "colored man" was not

a racist.

I believe Paladino doesn't have a clue what he is, but he knows all the lies and hatred and wallows in it like a pig in mud.

[jaybeat]

20. In other news, Richard Nixon: "I am not a crook!" (nt)

[activa8tr]

21. What's so funny about this guy is that he is the BEST THE REPUBLICANS HAVE

in the entire state of NY.

How wonderful for them!

[Incitatus]

22. So the teabaggers are trying to elect a witch, a Nazi and a homophobe that acts like a mob boss.

:wow:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

23. lol.

[whathehell]

25. Paladino is a Dirtbag For All Seasons and for Many, if not All, Reasons

Homophobic is just one other of his "awfuls"..Judging by his emails, he's also a racist and a mysogynist.:puke:

Electorally, at least, the guy has no redeeming qualities.

[KurtNYC]

26. he is worried about brainwashing bc he lets the orthodox audience write his speech

WTF.

[L.Torsalo]

28. .I talk to them about the discrimination that they suffer and I'm sensitive to it."

Sensitive? Stop lying pig!

[Vinca]

29. Gays, no. Sex with horses, yes. GOP "family values?"

[whathehell]

33. Yes, that IS rather amazing, isn't it?....

This uber-creep makes the Sopranos look "wholesome".

Truly, though..He's got WAY too many "awfuls" to be elected...I wouldn't worry about that.

[Javaman]

30. "I'm not a homophobe, I just play one on TV"

what an asshole

[bemildred]

32. Hmmm, is he a witch then? nt