Meg Whitman, Jerry Brown (A.P./Getty Images) |
LOS ANGELES -- A new controversy is taking center stage in California's gubernatorial race. Recently, a housekeeper was in the political spotlight, now the focus is on the word "whore."
An aide to Democratic candidate, Jerry Brown, was accidentally recorded suggesting that Brown call his Republican opponent, Meg Whitman, a "whore" because she had sold out to special interests.
The conversation, first reported by KTLA's partner The Los Angeles Times, was recorded by accident after Brown left a voicemail for an official asking for support from a Los Angeles police union last month.
Brown apparently thought he had hung up the phone but the voicemail recorded a subsequent conversation between Brown and his aides. The Los Angeles Police Protective League turned over the audio to the Times.
In the recording, the aides talk about resisting pressure to cut public-safety pensions.
Brown is overheard asking if the campaign should put out an ad.
A voice interrupts asking, "What about saying she's a whore?"
Brown responds, saying, "Well I'm going to use that. It proves you've cut a secret deal to protect the pensions."
Whitman's campaign expressed outrage over the recording.
"The use of the term 'whore' is an insult to both Meg Whitman and to the women of California," the Republicans' campaign spokeswoman Sarah Pompei said. "This is an appalling and unforgivable smear against Meg Whitman."
Brown's campaign has issued an apology, saying the recording was of a private conversation. "At times, our language was salty. We apologize to Ms. Whitman and anyone who may have been offended," an aide told CNN.
The latest controversy follows weeks of discussions about Whitman and her former housekeeper. Nicky Diaz Santillan says the former eBAY CEO knew she was in the country illegally. Whitman denies the claim.
The L.A. Police Protective League has endorsed Meg Whitman for governor.
An aide to Democratic candidate, Jerry Brown, was accidentally recorded suggesting that Brown call his Republican opponent, Meg Whitman, a "whore" because she had sold out to special interests.
The conversation, first reported by KTLA's partner The Los Angeles Times, was recorded by accident after Brown left a voicemail for an official asking for support from a Los Angeles police union last month.
Brown apparently thought he had hung up the phone but the voicemail recorded a subsequent conversation between Brown and his aides. The Los Angeles Police Protective League turned over the audio to the Times.
In the recording, the aides talk about resisting pressure to cut public-safety pensions.
Brown is overheard asking if the campaign should put out an ad.
A voice interrupts asking, "What about saying she's a whore?"
Brown responds, saying, "Well I'm going to use that. It proves you've cut a secret deal to protect the pensions."
Whitman's campaign expressed outrage over the recording.
"The use of the term 'whore' is an insult to both Meg Whitman and to the women of California," the Republicans' campaign spokeswoman Sarah Pompei said. "This is an appalling and unforgivable smear against Meg Whitman."
Brown's campaign has issued an apology, saying the recording was of a private conversation. "At times, our language was salty. We apologize to Ms. Whitman and anyone who may have been offended," an aide told CNN.
The latest controversy follows weeks of discussions about Whitman and her former housekeeper. Nicky Diaz Santillan says the former eBAY CEO knew she was in the country illegally. Whitman denies the claim.
The L.A. Police Protective League has endorsed Meg Whitman for governor.
