Ken Buck Defends "High Heels" Joke Against Jane Norton

By: Lauren Seifert
Topics: Republicans ,; Campaign 2010 ,; Washington Unplugged ,; Tea Party ,; State Politics

The Senate race in Colorado for the Republican nomination has been a "no-holds barred" battle between Ken Buck, who is backed by many Tea Party supporters, and the "establishment" candidate, former Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton.

Controversy hit the campaign trail last month after Buck was caught on video saying that Coloradans should vote for him because, "I do not wear high heels." This created a wave of attacks from the Norton camp that Buck was "sexist."

On Monday's Washington Unplugged, Buck responded to these claims in an interview on the eve of the primary. Buck told CBS News' Bob Orr, "My opponent has said a number of times on the campaign trail that people should vote for her because she wears high heels, because she wears a skirt, because she's a woman... She ran a commercial that said Ken Buck should be man enough to do X, Y, and Z... I made a statement, it was a lighthearted statement that I'm man enough, I don't wear high heels and I have cowboy boots on."

Orr asked Buck if the controversy has resulted in a backlash from Coloradans. Buck responded, "I don't really think so. I think people in Colorado are focused on the major issues of the day and while my opponent has tried to make that an issue, I think people are concerned about the $13 trillion of debt, the $100 trillion of unfunded liabilities, the health care bill, the financial reform bill. Those are the things I'm asked about on the campaign trail. I'm not asked about a statement about high heels."

Watch Monday's Washington Unplugged above, also featuring Andrew Romanoff, who is facing off with Sen. Michael Bennet in the Democratic Senate primary in Colorado, and a look at the week ahead with CBS News Chief Political Consultant Marc Ambinder and CBS News National Security Correspondent David Martin.

Interactive Map: CBS News Election 2010 Race Ratings

"Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's exclusive daily politics Webshow, appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 2:00 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.

Lauren Seifert
Lauren Seifert is an associate producer for CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

5 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

by dadirt August 10, 2010 11:50 AM EDT

Slow news day! Waht is happening with Wrangle? Where is the outrage in the media over his thieving, no tax paying ways. The drive by media doesn't care about the abuse of power, the spending of public funds for vacations, airplanes, fancy dinners, non-taxpaying public officials and instead go after comments made by republicans to make them look sexist, or ignorant. Meet the press on the other channel is about as one sided as the other big three medias. Let the Dems ramble on while they ask the loaded lopsided questions to their republican opponents. The drive by media discusts me!

Reply to this comment


by realist51 August 10, 2010 12:19 PM EDT: maybe because rangle is under investigation and could see a trial for his mis deeds this has already been reported.where as the remarks by the canidate have yet to be answered for. loaded questions come from loaded issues. otherwise there would be none seems that the republicans are always loading the gun with foolish remarks and actions.


by tsigili August 10, 2010 10:26 AM EDT: Indefensible.; Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown August 10, 2010 8:03 AM EDT: Good to see a Tea Party candidate being "lighthearted" instead of "coldhearted"...................; Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown August 10, 2010 8:03 AM EDT: Good to see a Tea Party candidate being "lighthearted" instead of "coldhearted"...................; Reply to this comment