Posted on 01/22/2007 7:06:32 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
(AP) WASHINGTON -- Freshman Congressman Steve Kagen has apologized to constituents for mishandling reports of his behavior at a reception where he taunted White House adviser Karl Rove.
"You have probably heard more about my appearance at last year's White House reception for new lawmakers than you have about the issues my colleagues and I are grappling with today on your behalf," the Democrat wrote in an op-ed piece that ran in several Wisconsin newspapers Sunday. "And that's a shame because you deserve better.
"I apologize for handling this situation as I did. I allowed this distraction to get out of hand and divert our attention from the critically important work we are doing. My mishandled attempt at humor wasn't delivered or received well. It won't happen again."
Kagen's office declined an interview request Monday.
At issue is a story in The Scene, a Fox Valley monthly, in which Kagen told a group of peace activists that he taunted Rove, Vice President Dick Cheney and First Lady Laura Bush at a White House reception for new lawmakers in November.
The story said:
Kagen saw Rove in the bathroom, blocked his exit, and said, "You're in the White House and you think you're safe, huh? You recognize me? My name's Dr. Multimillionaire and I kicked your ass."
He then came across Vice President Dick Cheney and told him, "Mr. Vice President, thank you for your service to the nation, and thank you so much for coming to Green Bay and campaigning against me. I couldn't have won without your help."
And when he had a chance to take a photo with President Bush and his wife, Kagen told Bush he couldn't have won the race without him coming to Wisconsin, too.
"Then I go to his wife, 'Hi Barbara, how are ya?' I did that because I learned on the campaign that the meanest thing you can say to another gentlemen is, 'He's a fine fellow,' and you then refer to his spouse by a different name."
Bush's mother's name is Barbara.
But the White House has denied Kagen's version of events, and he has backed away from his original account. He told the Oshkosh Northwestern last week that he never insulted the Bushes.
He told The Associated Press in November that his comment to Rove was, "I'm the one who beat you in Wisconsin." In his op-ed piece, Kagen said that he and others may differ on specific issues in the future.
"But I won't let my constituents down," he promised.
Interesting picture at his allergy clinic web site.
That little girl on the right looks just like JonBenet Ramsay to me. Can't make up my mind whether the whole picture is cute or gruesome.
Botched joke...Democrat Trademark.
Maybe Kagen can get a job at the New York Times if the politican thing doesn't work out. But hey what would you expect from people who learned their manners from Howard Dean.
I've said it before but I'll repeat it here - those who were happy that the adults were in charge are now watching the kiddies return. It's going to be a long two years.
What can I say? You either have class and manners or you are a scumbag.
In other words, he's a classic dweeb.
What a doofus. Is this what we can expect for leadership from now on? Beam me up, Scotty! I'm in the Twilight Zone.
HE and his brother John Kerry are both botched jokes.
What a punk ass. Unfortunately, he will be right at home in congress.
At least Webb makes a failing attempt. Kagen doesn't even try to show some class.
This guy is a unstable basket case.
While meeting last month with a group of area peace activists, then Congressman-elect Steve Kagen told a story of his first visit to the White House that shows a feisty and humorous side to our new man in Congress.
He told the group one of the first lessons he learned in Washington is to never pass up a rest room because you dont know when youll see one again.
Hed already had a long day of freshman orientation when he and his wife, Gail, were expected at the White House. Upon arrival, he asks a Marine where he can find a rest room, and is sent down a long flight of stairs, to another Marine, who directs him to a rest room.
Its a small room two spots on the wall, one stall one sink. I see in the mirror the door opens, and who walks in, Karl Rove (Bushs deputy chief of staff who was charged with orchestrating strategies for the 2006 general election).
After Rove washed his hands (At least hes a hand washer, Kagen said), he attempted to leave, but Kagen prevented his departure by holding the door closed and said, Youre in the White House and you think your safe, huh? You recognize me? My names Dr. Multimillionaire and I kicked your ass.
Kagen expected to make Rove squirm, but said acted like it was a tennis match and simply said, Oh, congratulations.
Were walking up these long steps, I stopped him and said, Look, the race is over. Were here to do the peoples business. I want you to join me on something, but you cant steal it, Ive got the trademark, No patient left behind. He goes, I like the sound of that. We get to the top of the steps and theres Vice President Cheney with a glass of white wine and a hand in his pocket. So I wasnt going to miss this opportunity. Gail wasnt there to hold me back. Mr. Vice President, thank you for your service to the nation, and thank you so much for coming to Green Bay and campaigning against me. I couldnt have won without your help.
He then asked Cheney to enunciate his vision for Iraq.
Well, Id like to see a stable government that could take care of itself and its people. I said, at what price? He said, I dont understand your point. I walked away. Then we had an opportunity to take a picture with the president and his wife. I was feeling real good at this point.
I said to my wife, Honey, just follow my lead. She said, Steven, its the president. I said, Yeah, but hes not any taller than I am. So the cameramans here. Were introduced by a Marine. I said, Mr. President , thank you for coming to Green Bay. My name is Dr. Multimillionaire.That was before the race. Now they call me Doctor Thousandaire. I couldnt have won without you coming.
He said Bush gave one of his smiles and said, Ive lost a lot of money in my life, too. Then I go to his wife, Hi Barbara, how are ya? I did that because I learned on the campaign that the meanest thing you can say to another gentlemen is, hes a fine fellow, and you then refer to his spouse by a different name.
Expect this side of Kagen to show up when he appears on the Colbert Report in February.
Photo of Steve Kagen with his twin brother "Ass Clown"!
...not sure which is which since they are identical!
No where in this 'apology' do I see the words, "I lied". George Allen was crucified over his use of ONE word and lost his election. But all we get from this blowhard is an "oops"...and "I MISHANDLED a situation."
Class, they're all class...
I imagine Mrs. Bush smiled at him and shook his hand anyway - and waited to wash her hand thoroughly until everyone had gone home.
What an ass.
Another classy Dem.
Typical Dimwitted, little boy trapped in a man's body.
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