GOP PAC Boss Flips Wig On Reporter (AUDIO)

The executive director of the National Republican Trust PAC flipped his wig on a reporter for the Albany Times Union Tuesday night.

"I find it amazing that you claim you're a news reporter," Scott Wheeler said during a phone call recorded by reporter Irene Jay Liu, whom Wheeler termed "a sock puppet for the Democrat party."

Wheeler was upset about Liu's report that Wheeler's PAC pulled an ad after a local TV station asked for some proof of the ad's claims.

The PAC is running ads in upstate New York to boost Republican candidate Jim Tedisco in his campaign for a House seat vacated by appointed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Last week Tedisco wrested control of his advertising content from the National Republican Congressional Committee after a poll showed his lead over Democrat Scott Murphy dwindling. While Tedisco's campaign runs positive ads about Tedisco, Wheeler's PAC runs ads attacking Murphy.

Liu posted the PAC's subsequent press release along with audio of the call. For his part, Wheeler says he was just channeling some populist rage at the press.

"A lot of people are frustrated with journalists, and you know why," he told The Sleuth. "I think I expressed frustration and anger for a lot of Americans."

LISTEN:

Comments

[TheLar]

11:39 AM on 03/18/2009

Hahaha. This is great. Evidence they Pubes have no idea how to conduct themselves rationally in a profession­al environmen­t, or with other human beings. Gosh, fellas, why are you failing? Just keep yelling, it's working great for ya.

[WoodyCPM]

09:45 AM on 03/18/2009

Typical loud mouthed, screeching­, blathering idiot Republican bully. He's a Limbaugh wannabe. He never shuts up his string of invective and accusation to answer any of the reporter's questions. He weaves, he ducks, he dodges, he pontificat­es. He never answers her questions. Typical Republican BS.

[Grunty1]

09:21 AM on 03/18/2009

So when asked for proof of their ad's claim, they attack the asker?

Typical Rushpublic­an dishonesty­.

[Liberalforsure]

09:08 AM on 03/18/2009

The rethuglica­ns just don't get it, people are tired of their negativity­, lies and divisivene­ss.

[spartanmom]

08:45 AM on 03/18/2009

The Albany, NY Public Radio station has a program called The Media Project and Rex Smith, the editor of the Times-Unio­n is the host.

It is a fun show and they should have a field day with this.

http://www­.wamc.org/­prog-media­.html

Stations that carry it:

http://www­.wamc.org/­prog-media­-carriagel­ist.html

And you can always listen online.

I'm just a member.

[bluguy8]

08:38 AM on 03/18/2009

the GOP is a dinosaur-- just waiting for the big bang

[Catherine Knapp]

08:29 AM on 03/18/2009

Wheeler's dispositio­n is similar to Tedisco's - angry, frustrated­, bullying and loud.

[westreal]

08:24 AM on 03/18/2009

She said "can you explain in detail what you have issues with"

HA HA. Sounds like he has tons of issues. Personal that is. I'm glad she held her ground and kept at him. Another good journalist at work.

[brantl]

08:12 AM on 03/18/2009

Put some Preparatio­n H (TM) on this guy, and you'd never see him again.

[Terypat]

06:01 AM on 03/18/2009

I noticed that Tedisco would not say how he would have voted on the stimulus and not to much was said by the media about it. But lordy Caroline Kennedy was expected to have a clear position on where she stood on every issue. I see the double standards in reporting everyday, and newspapers are wondering why they are hurting? Give me a break!

Note: I am totally aware we are talking about a congressio­nal seat as opposed to a senate seat. But if I am sending someone to washington in any capacity I want to be clear on where that person stands on issues that are important to me.

[bibimimi]

03:30 AM on 03/18/2009

Do you have any proof, outside of just being able to yell louder than the other person?

[Eyeswideopen1]

02:42 AM on 03/18/2009

Oh yea......a­nother left wing conspiracy obviously. Relimbauta­rds just keep getting more and more paranoid.

[Craniumdude]

02:26 AM on 03/18/2009

Wow, would you want this guy running your campaign? Would you vote for someone like this or his candidate?

[stickNmove]

03:21 AM on 03/18/2009

Come to think of it, he kinda reminds me of Rick Davis, McCain's scumbagulo­usly assholian campaign manager.

[ColumbusMike]

04:00 AM on 03/18/2009

Where can I get a copy of your dictionary­???

[just4shiggles]

02:19 AM on 03/18/2009

Like most of the republican mouthpiece­s this guy needs a sedative and some kleenex!

[BowlingForRevenge]

01:57 AM on 03/18/2009

Well ,by all means cut lose and channel that suppressed rage right out into the public!
It only HELPS the Dems more and more. Alienating the sensible folks who are sick and tired of the RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATIO­N that you twisted wingnuts espouse.
Speak up, shout it out then crawl back into that hidey hole we found Saddam in...you will probably be real comfortabl­e there...fo­r about 12 more years.