Earlier today, Manuel Miranda spoke to Politico, during which he offered these comments urging Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell to institute a filibuster against Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor:
Miranda accused McConnell of being “limp-wristed” and “a little bit tone deaf” when it comes to judicial nominees.
Last year, during his re-election campaign against Democrat Bruce Lunsford, McConnell was the subject of an ad campaign from AFSCME that appeared to raise questions about McConnell's sexuality. McConnell was discharged from the military 40 years ago, the ad appeared to suggest it was for engaging in "homosexual conduct," demanding that McConnell "release his military records" and "be straight" with Kentucky. McConnell is married to Elaine Chao, who was labor secretary under President Bush.
I asked Miranda if he was aware of this context when he made the remarks to Politico. Miranda said he was not aware and that had he been, "I would not have used that expression for fear that anyone would take it to reference that. I am familiar with Mr. and Mrs. McConnell, and have the greatest personal admiration for both, and I meant nothing personal at all."
Miranda added that he was "responding to a reporter who had been fed ad hominen attacks on me by the McConnell staff; a disservice to the Leader as well as to me."
-- A. Serwer
