A peculiar question was asked Wednesday night at a Senate debate in New York between two female candidates: “Have you read ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,'” the popular series of erotic novels based around themes of sadomasochism.
The question was posed during the “lightning round” at the only debate between Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is heavily favored to win re-election, and Republican challenger Wendy Long.
The question was initially asked of Long, who said that no, she had not read the series, while Gillibrand laughed out loud at the question. Moderator Liz Benjamin, host of debate sponsor Capital Tonight, also chimed in: “Me neither, for the record.”
Here is the video, via BuzzFeed:
