Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) tried to deflect charges of sexism by Democrats by pointing out that he lives with five women and asking if Democratic opponent Gwen Graham has ever been to a lingerie shower.
“I live with five women. That’s all I’m saying. I live with five women. Listen: Has Gwen Graham ever been to a lingerie shower? Ask her. And how many men where there?” Southerland said according to the Tampa Bay Times. Graham, a lawyer who is the daughter of former Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL), will face Southerland in the November election, and most recent polling shows the race within the margin of error.
Southerland’s response comes after Florida Democrats labeled Southerland, along with Gov. Rick Scott and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who’s visiting the state to help Scott, as anti-woman.
Southerland’s lingerie comment came in response to a conference call Democratic Party chairwoman Allison Tant highlighted the fact that Southerland held a men-only fundraiser where the invitations read “Tell the Misses not to wait up because the after dinner whiskey and cigars will be smooth & the issues to discuss are many.”
Graham, a lawyer, is the daughter of former Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL). Most recent polling shows the race within the margin of error.
It’s interesting that discussion threads sometimes show up before the actual articles do. For some of the cafe articles a few days ago, the discussion thread was up a full day before the article.
Also, has anyone noticed that you can now comment on edblog articles? E.g.,
I don’t know what a “lingerie shower” is, but I’d go to one if invited.
hmm, comparing a fundraiser to a “lingerie shower” Does that mean he assumes that only men would be interested in what he’s selling. I think he’s just made his problems worse.
I’M noT a RAcist. I HAvE LOts OF BlacK frieNDs. One SHInes MY sHOEs and THE Other One SAys GOOD mORNING to ME on THE sTREEts EVery DAY HoLDing AN eMPty cuP of COffe.
“…ever been to a lingerie shower? Ask her. And how many men where there?”
“Tell the Misses not to wait up because the after dinner whiskey and cigars will be smooth & the issues to discuss are many.”
My take away - Southerland is not interested in women or representing their interests.