Ken Buck: Vote For Me 'Because I Do Not Wear High Heels' (VIDEO)

Those attendees at the Independence Institute's Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Party who weren't privy to the back-and-forth of Colorado's GOP Senate primary were briefly left scratching their heads on Saturday. Addressing the conservative crowd, candidate Ken Buck cryptically responded to a recent TV ad (viewable below) from his opponent, Jane Norton, that seemingly called his manhood into question.

Asked by an woman in the audience why she should vote for him, Buck quipped: "Because I do NOT wear high heels."

Buck was quick to clarify that the joke was a reference to Norton's recent ad, in which she cast doubt on Buck's manhood for accepting the support of 527's and other independent political organizations.

"She questioned my manhood. I think it's fair to respond," Buck explained. "I have cowboy boots on. They've got real bulls**t on them. That's Weld County bulls**t, not Washington D.C. bulls**t."

A spokesman for Norton chided Buck Wednesday, telling the AP "Ken is going to have to use all of his best lawyer-speak to explain this really stupid statement."

WATCH:

WATCH NORTON'S AD ATTACKING BUCK:

Comments

[Caymus77]

05:19 PM on 07/25/2010

Why do Republicans like to make racist,sexist,and homophobic remarks and then try and claim they were "joking"???

Methinks it is because they really believe what they are saying and repeat such remarks amongst themselves.

[Pyrum]

05:39 PM on 07/25/2010

If you bothered doing any research at all, you'd conclude Jane Norton is every bit as racist, sexist and homophobic as Ken Buck. She's just been endorsed by AZ Governor Jan Brewer. What do you make of that?

[Caymus77]

05:47 PM on 07/25/2010

I am not supporting Norton. I'm taking Buck to task for his comments about women.

I would never vote for either of them.

[anitaj]

05:02 PM on 07/23/2010

No high heels for Buck?

Just as well. He doesn't have the legs for it.

[SteveDenver]

01:02 PM on 07/23/2010

They're both unsavory characters, but she's vile. I guess voters have a choice between terrible and horrible.

[anitaj]

05:03 PM on 07/23/2010

It would be nice if we could vote "none of the above" and call a new slate of candidates.

[Atropos77]

12:05 PM on 07/23/2010

I can't stand Buck or Norton, but it's pretty clear that the little idea that sprung up in his head for a "joke" was just poorly worded, not sexist. He didn't exactly mean that he should get votes because he's a man and women are stupid. What I think he meant is that he's up against a woman in the primary so when he was asked why people should vote for him, he said that they should vote for the person without high heels, i.e. him. Undoubtedly, he phrased it all wrong and it came out that he's some woman hater, but no politician is that blatantly stupid (not in public, at least).

When it comes down to it, I really couldn't care less. Both of these people are terrible. Norton obviously is taking this opportunity to paint herself as a victimized innocent, but she's a horrible shrew. Grew up in my old hometown, Grand Junction, a hotbed of rednecks and rabid tea partiers. So naturally she hates the gays, global warming is a myth, doesn't like them brown people too much, etc. She's no saint. Just hoping Bennett can come out on top in November and retain his seat.

[Pyrum]

12:39 AM on 07/24/2010

I'd rather see Romanoff win his primary and take the seat over Bennet retaining his seat, but either would be preferable to Jane Norton.

[Caymus77]

05:13 PM on 07/25/2010

Shrew or not,Norton is justified in calling out her troglodyte opponent Buck with the BS on his boots for his comments.

I don't believe anybody who was NOT a sexist would even attempt this comment about high heels as a "joke".

[Pyrum]

05:44 PM on 07/25/2010

I agree, because this is politics after all, but in the end her smear campaigns are going to backfire on her.

I don't agree Ken Buck is sexist. In the context of this race, his comment, while tasteless (but funny!), is understandable.

[bobby99]

05:44 PM on 07/22/2010

He should wear high heels. That'd be hot!

[femnm]

05:37 PM on 07/22/2010

homophobe sexist....more of the SAME

[Pyrum]

03:07 PM on 07/22/2010

From the Colorado Springs Candidate Debate earlier this year:

Question: Jane, what's the single biggest difference between yourself and Ken Buck?
Jane Norton: I think it's pretty obvious the biggest difference between me and frankly, all the guys up here.

Listen at 49:40: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/5319928#utm_campaigne=synclickback&source=http://www.peoplespresscollective.org/2010/07/nortonbuck-footwear-flap-hits-national-news/comment-page-1/#comment-22339&medium=5319928

Why is that joke O.K. and Ken Buck's joke isn't? Double standard?

[Caymus77]

05:16 PM on 07/25/2010

Simple. She did NOT say it was a reason to vote for her,just that it was the biggest difference. And she is right.

Do you think Buck's comment was OK? I don't.

BTW:I'm not a Norton supporter.

[Pyrum]

05:35 PM on 07/25/2010

Oh please. She does so say that's a reason to vote for her, maybe not specifically in that video, but look at this:

" And just last week in an interview with Independence Institute president Jon Caldara, when Norton was asked what the difference is between her and Buck, she said, "Well I am a girl, first."

"Is being a girl important?" Caldara asked.

"No, it isn't," she said. "I was trying to be funny." " http://www.denverpost.com/election2010/ci_15572315

And if you agree the biggest difference between her and the other candidates is she's a woman and they're men, you're as hung up on identity politics as you're accusing Ken Buck of being!

[MoeJava]

02:58 PM on 07/22/2010

well, ken, sometimes high heels are inappropriate (like at a BBQ), so perhaps a low slung peep-toed wedgie or espadrille, will be more in keeping with your summertime activities...?
.

[TheRagingModerate]

02:51 PM on 07/22/2010

Wow, just started reading the other comments on this story. Guess I'm not the only one who saw this and immediately thought, Thou doth protest too much! I love that the heterosexuality of conservative men has become inherently suspect.

You'd think we'd be commenting on the deeply sexist meaning of his statement, but I guess that kind of crass identity politics among conservatives just goes without saying anymore. The GOP might as well make its slogan: "Vote for me -- I'm just like all the old, rich, straight white guys who were solely responsible for making this country great!"

[Pyrum]

03:17 PM on 07/22/2010

I have a hard time believing his statement is "deeply sexist," considering Jane Norton has been playing the gender card herself for months now: http://www.denverpost.com/election2010/ci_15572315

[bleubunny]

06:32 AM on 07/23/2010

How is it not sexist exactly? He basically said "vote for me because I'm not a woman."

[TheRagingModerate]

02:43 PM on 07/22/2010

A conservative Republican man who does not wear high heels (or pick up men in restrooms, or fondle teenage interns, or get his travel companions from RentBoy, etc., etc.)?

Sorry -- been bitten too may times to take this on faith. Only time will tell.

[MadLimerist]

02:21 PM on 07/22/2010

Ol' Buck was a cowboy who swore
he never, at any time, wore
stilettos, but gee,
you just oughta see
the things in his lingerie drawer.

[emmiemorgan]

01:34 PM on 07/22/2010

Smooth move, Ken. How can he redeem himself now?

[studana51]

01:09 PM on 07/22/2010

Can he stand on his head and yodel?
Interesting contest.
The debates will feature a farting competition.
Negotiations for a pissing contest have hit a few snags.
Stay tuned.

[jws2346]

01:08 PM on 07/22/2010

You can say what you want, but the "no high heals" sound bite is certainly a attention grabber.

[Nosybear]

12:46 PM on 07/22/2010

At least not in public. And at least this is not the guy trying to make $300,000 off someone else's writings THEN trying to say refunding the money makes it right. Scott McInnis is a man without a conscience, a man with only one interest in mind, his own. Know this before you vote for him.

[emmiemorgan]

01:28 PM on 07/22/2010

You really have to get your word in don't you? You must work for a campaign.

[Unterseeboot]

01:49 PM on 07/22/2010

And ... you don't?