Kerrey Responds To N.H. Abuse

Things like that happen in politics, said a philosophical Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., who was taunted and called "a cripple" by youthful Al Gore supporters in New Hampshire.

Kerrey said Wednesday the Gore backers were "carried away with the moment" a few days ago when he was campaigning for presidential hopeful and friend Bill Bradley.

Some press reports said Kerrey and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., were attempting to talk to reporters outside a town hall meeting when they were accosted by a group of Gore supporters. Some reportedly splashed mud and slush on Kerrey and Nadler, stuck placards in their faces and someone called Kerrey "a cripple." They also reportedly mocked Nadler for being overweight.

Kerrey, a Medal of Honor winner who lost part of a leg fighting in Vietnam, joked Wednesday that "it was the first honest thing" to come out of the Gore camp in 10 days. He said he and the Bradley camp had been making a point seeking truthful commentary from Gore on several issues during the Democratic primary campaign.

But Kerrey did not know what to make of a statement issued by National Republican Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson that Gore owed Kerrey an apology for his campaign workers' attack.

Kerrey said the incident was being made too political. But, he added with a chuckle, "That's the first time Chairman Nicholson has ever expressed concern for my well-being."

"This is part of politics," Kerrey said, "and the vice president certainly does not owe me an apology."