Republican Apologizes for Bloomberg Slam
By Michael McAuliffDaily News
November 17, 2009
Long Island GOP Rep. Pete King doesn’t know what Arizona’s John Shadegg was thinking when he suggested terrorists could kidnap Mayor Bloomberg’s daughters, and apparently neither does Shadegg, who is now apologizing.
“No one can question the Mayor’s integrity, or in any way make references to his family,” King said moments before Shadegg apologized for going over the top yesterday in criticizing Bloomberg for wanting to hold the 9/11 terror trials in New York. “He [Bloomberg] is a true patriot in every sense of the word… It’s just wrong. The debate should not be at that level.”
King does oppose Bloomberg on the trials, though.
In apologizing, Shadegg stuck by his underlying postion.
“I apologize for the insensitivity of my remarks with respect to the Mayor or his family, however I think it is important to note that this decision involves potential risk to innocent people,” he said in a statement sent by his spokeswoman.
King didn’t want to try to read his Arizona colleague’s mind as to his reasons for dissing Bloomberg and the city, but said he’s heard Big Apple bashing before.
“in some parts of the country, I guess anti-New York remarks still pay off,” King said. “John Shadegg’s a nice guy. I don’t know why he said this, but if there’s anyone who doesn’t deserve it, it’s Mike Bloomberg.”