Watch that mike, Governor

This is more funny than anything else - Rick Perry said a naughty word to a local reporter.

We were trying to get the governor to give us details about his education plan. He's releasing it today, and he didn't want to give out details a day early.

"You'll have to wait until tomorrow. I hate to let you guys in on it and no one else," Gov. Perry insisted.

So we said goodbye, thank you and thought the interview was over.

"You're welcome," Gov. Perry signed off. "So long."

Our questions were not recorded on tape, but in saying goodbye I told the governor, "Try as I may, Governor, I guess I can't win this one."

Eleven seconds after he said goodbye, the camera crew was getting ready for the next interview with another station. That's when Gov. Perry repeated what he thought I'd said, and added a few words of his own with his microphone on and tape still rolling.

"Try as I may, Governor, I'm not going to wait that long," Gov. Perry said. "Adios, Mofo."

Those last words aren't exactly part of the seven dirty words, but it isn't something you want to say to your mother or use in good company. Tuesday morning, Governor Perry called me personally. He apologized and said his comment wasn't directed at us.

He agreed it was just one of those times a politician is caught by an open mike saying something embarrassing. He tells us he was just trying to get a reaction from the camera crew and it wasn't said with any malice or intent.

You'd think a guy who's been in politics for as long as Perry has would've taken some training in media relations by now. Clearly, it's time for a refresher.

Best reaction goes to PinkDome:

The question the reporter asked was, "Governor, what do you think the voters will say to you come next election once you fail to fix school finance yet again?"

Heh. And if you like the quote, you can buy yourself the t-shirt.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on June 22, 2005 to Scandalized! | TrackBack