Alan Grayson Stands by "K Street Whore" Comment

(grayson.house.gov)

Updated 6:13 p.m. ET

NOTE: Grayson has now apologized for the comments. Read more here.

Outspoken Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson is under fire from both Republicans and Democrats after a month-old radio interview was posted online in which Grayson is heard calling an adviser to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke a "K Street whore."

You can hear Grayson making the comment about the Bernanke adviser, who is named Linda Robertson, here. "This lobbyist, this K street whore, is trying to teach me about economics," he said.

Grayson has been widely criticized for his comment, as Politico and the Associated Press report. Republican Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said Grayson is "out of control," while Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner asked, "Is this news to you that this guy's one fry short of a Happy Meal?"

"Alan Grayson's latest comments are disgraceful, inappropriate and disrespectful to women," RNC Co-Chairman Jan Larimer said, calling on Grayson to issue an apology.

That seems unlikely to happen. Todd Jurkowski, Grayson's spokesman, sent an email to Hotsheet standing by the comment and further criticizing Robertson.

"Let's be clear about the context," he said. "The attack was on her professional career, not her personal life."

"She attacked the Congressman and his efforts to promote a Republican bill to audit the Federal Reserve," Jurkowski said. "She actually questioned his understanding of the difference between fiscal and monetary policy. She had the audacity to attack a Congressman who used to be an economist. She's a career lobbyist who used to work for Enron and advocates for whatever she gets paid to promote."

K Street is where many Washington lobbyists work, and "K Street whore" is a derogatory – though not uncommon – phrase used to describe them in the nation's capital. Grayson, who wants to limit the power of the Fed, made the comment while appearing on the Alex Jones radio show.

Just a few months ago, Grayson was a Florida House freshman with virtually no national name recognition. But he burst onto the scene in September when he suggested on the House floor that the Republican health care plan is "to die quickly if you get sick."

Called upon to apologize for those comments, Grayson instead apologized to "the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America."

Earlier this month he set up a Web site called NamesOfTheDead.com intended to draw attention to people who die without health coverage. (Republicans suggested it was more about Grayson drawing attention to himself.)

Last month, Grayson told Hotsheet that "people like a Democrat with guts."

His campaign has regularly sent out releases trumpeting Grayson's fundraising – it says he raised more than $250,000 in the first three weeks of October – and potential opponents seem to be shying away from challenging Grayson even though he is a House freshman from a swing district.

[rhetoricus]

Grayson should apologize to ****** right away. They don't deserve to be compared to lobbyists.

[gramto8]

From the article:
K street is where many Washington lobbyists work, and "K Street whor.e" is a derogatory ? though not uncommon ? phrase used to describe them in the nation's capital.

According to the article, Grayson is not the person who originated the term, and will not be the last to use that term. There is no reason for anyone to be jumping his case over his use of it. If they have not raised hell at every other person who has ever used that figure of speech, they need to shut up.

[rckmom47]

He is nothing more than a buffoon! He WILL be voted out of office in the next election! What has he done for Florida?? NOTHING!!

[Braszman]

While Congressman Grayson might have been a little more tactful, his point was correct and his response was appropriate, even if it was rude. Let's stop all this false outrage over the use of the term ***** when every person, including the person who the comment was directed at knows full well that he was referring to the lobbyist not the woman. By the way, I don't like it when the Democrats cry out in false outrage over Republican comments that are off-color but perfectly understood by all parties either. Let's everybody get over it and get back to work. Funny too that in this case Grayson was speaking in support of Republican sponsored legislation.

[starleo146]

Oh the republicans can call everyone a fascist a Hitler a Socialist and as soon as a democrat tells it like it is he is asked to apologize. I see a double standard here and his freedom of speech is just as good as Glenn becks and Rush Limbaugh. Tell it Grayson about time a democrat had some backbone

[aldon61]

Out side of lobbyists themselves, most people have an extremely low opinion of them. I have called lobbyists ****** and worse and I also stand by my words. This guy called it like he saw it, and I have no problem with his verbage. If this lobbyist was a man, this wouldn't even be an issue. My messsage to Ms. Robertson is to harden up, you're playing in the majors so get used to it. Oh, one more thing............all lobbyists are ******!

[6591Hou]

aldon61 - don't lower yourself to the level of someone like this. Are you a Congressman? On a radio program? Calling someone a w****? If your vocabulary is so limited that you cannot find the proper words to express your disagreement, other than to resort to vulgarity, then you shouldn't be a Congressman - words are what our legislation is built from, if you can't find good words you probably can't write good laws either.

[gekkobear]

Clearly this is acceptable discourse, and I'm glad to see that the liberals are getting behind the idea that any woman who dares to disagree with a man should be verbally attacked for having the temerity to do so.

Women should be seen and not heard, and shouldn't disagree with any man; and if they do; they're ****** who need to shut up. Right Democrats?

[OldGeezer43]

The new way to energize your campaign contributions is to make outrageous statements. Works for "you lie" and "die and fester" politicians.

[endurorob_5]

stn_sage October 27, 2009 1:28 PM EDT
To endurorob_5: if the comment was made by a Rep, under the same conditions stipulated here, I'd say, 'leave him alone, too much is being made out of it'! It doesn't bother me.

But, if YOU think that interrupting a nationally-televised speech, to publicly defame a speaker...any speaker...is the same as what Grayson did...then, I must tell you...it is NOT!



You seem to foret Grayson publically defamed a whole gruop of people. And calling a lyer a lyer is not as bad as calling a woman a *****.

[ohiopolitico]

Grayson obviously just wants attention. He's not a problem solver, he's another
Democratic politician who just wants to be in front of the camera

[stn_sage]

Listen! Politics is verbal 'bare knuckles'!

I remember when C-SPAN first started covering floor debate in the House and the debates get raucous sometimes...a lot is at stake...so speakers get boisterous to make their points...but as long as it isn't designed solely to be 'foul' or be a 'filthy-mouthed exhibitionist'...a degree of
latitude OUGHT to be practiced!

I think too much is being made of this! But, it might be wise for him to watch what he says...at least a little bit...as obviously, there are some people who just can't handle it!

[endurorob_5]

And if he was a conservative what would your opinion be?

[stn_sage]

To endurorob_5: if the comment was made by a Rep, under the same conditions stipulated here, I'd say, 'leave him alone, too much is being made out of it'! It doesn't bother me.

But, if YOU think that interrupting a nationally-televised speech, to publicly defame a speaker...any speaker...is the same as what Grayson did...then, I must tell you...it is NOT!