Senate candidate won't apologize for sending 'F-bomb' in email

BY MyNorthwest.com  on August 22, 2012 @ 5:19 am (Updated: 3:13 pm - 8/22/12 )

cedargrove
U.S. Senate candidate Michael Baumgartner is refusing to apologize for telling a Seattle-based reporter to "go f--- yourself" (AP Photo/file)

We all know swearing is rude, especially if it's not amongst friends, but dropping the f-bomb in an email may have been the best thing a U.S. Senate candidate could have done.

Michael Baumgartner is refusing to apologize for telling a Seattle-based reporter to "go f--- yourself" after failing to focus on ending the war in Afghanistan during an interview requesting his comment on beleaguered Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin.

Baumgartner, a Republican running against incumbent Maria Cantwell, says the email was a personal note to a writer at Seattle-based political blog PubliCola.

In the message, Baumgartner included a photo of a Navy SEAL who recently died in Afghanistan. The reporter, Josh Feit, later posted the photo and email comment on the website.

Baumgartner's campaign originally released a statement apologizing for the expletive, but the candidate says that statement was released prior to his knowledge and he is not apologizing.

"No, I don't apologize," Baumgartner tells The Dori Monson Show. "It'd be completely disingenuous for me to stand up there and say that I feel bad for telling Josh this, it's not true."

Baumgartner tells Monson he thinks Feit had it coming.

"I'm not doing the political thing here where you stand up and give one of these hollow apologies."

Feit said he was taken aback by the response and originally thought the e-mail couldn't have been from Baumgartner.

He says Baumgartner expressed frustration about the lack of focus on the war in Afghanistan, but that the email was a surprise.

"This was not intended to go public, but certainly something I believe in, and I think all of our troops in uniform deserve a lot better than they're getting right now," says Baumgartner.

"If folks don't want someone that gets fired up about 2,000 American men and women getting killed in Afghanistan in a war that's cost a trillion dollars," says Baumgartner, "then don't vote for me, I'm not the guy."

So far, many of his potential constituents are standing by Baumgartner's actions.

Listeners to Dori's show are saying they appreciate the candidate's passion about such an important issue.

From Facebook:

Ward Isom: He should not apologize if he does not regret what he said. I will vote for him.

Anton Bakke: Love it! This guy definitely has my vote.

Liz Chadek: Love the guy. He's got my vote! Very refreshing.

Yvonne Vianelli: Finally an Honest Politician! Love it!

Nellie Pearson: Never have I found a politician more relateable. He absolutely has my vote!

John Rawlings: No WAY should he apologize! We need elected officials that stand up for their beliefs, say what they mean and mean what they say - "Go F yourself" fits well into that category, in my opinion. He received my vote in the primary, and he'll receive it in the general election as well.

Baumgartner declined to discuss specific details of what prompted him to send the note, but he reiterates that he doesn't think the media is giving proper attention to the war.

"Frankly, it's been a failure of leadership for both sides," says Baumgartner. "I'll be a clear, loud voice for a more sensible foreign policy."

Baumgartner is a state senator who previously did diplomatic work in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the prominent messages of his campaign has been to end the war in Afghanistan and stop American casualties there. He trails Cantwell in the polls.

Feit said he tried unsuccessfully to reach out to Baumgartner several times following the email.

By MyNorthwest.com Staff
The Associated Press contributed to this report

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (46)


  • Add A Comment

  • Rick1 wrote...
    I'll take a few more f-bombs
    August 22, 2012 5:49 am
    to end the bombs in the middle east... enough
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Sounds like this 'reporter' Feit is the more offensive "F" word.
    August 22, 2012 6:00 am
    Yah, guy. With people dying in Afghanistan and millions still out of work and with foreclosure still looming for too many American families, ..... SURE the most important issue too voters is some idiot from Missouri. But, let's cut Feit some slack. Maybe he's been covering the current administration so long he actually things that IS the important issue.

    Isn't that what Barry Lyndon wants us to believe? And ignore the coffins?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vsekvsek wrote...
    I just wonder
    August 22, 2012 6:33 am
    I wonder if the key note speaker of the DNC this year will appologize for actually raping several women. Oh wait hes a democrat. When a democrat rapes women thats ok and "shinnanigans" but when a member of gop says something stupid about rape thats "unacceptable." Hmm, wonder where the word "sheeple" came from.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    The left is concerned about language?
    August 22, 2012 6:50 am
    I guess it's a big f 'n deal to them now, huh? hypocrites.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    A donut in one hand and the F-bomb ready to launch who am I? . . . .
    August 22, 2012 7:02 am
    clue - the Dnote speaker at the GOP Circus Clown tent revaial convention in Florida.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vanderleun wrote...
    Radio Co-Ho
    August 22, 2012 7:25 am
    "... KIRO Radio co-host Tom Tangney says while it shouldn't be a big deal, it shows a significant lack of restraint and judgement." Hey, Tangney, go f yourself. Immediately and without ceasing you berk.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Democrats
    August 22, 2012 7:31 am
    Constantly striving for a new level of HYPOCRISY
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zagnut wrote...
    Conservatives should start telling a lot more members of the elite liberal media to go F themselves.
    August 22, 2012 7:47 am
    I wish it would start happening daily.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    Oh oh...
    August 22, 2012 7:47 am
    Some reporter's feelings got hurt because a politician said somthing to him that hundreds of elected officials want to do every day. I dont know a great deal about this candidate but I'll say this: Good for him for not being politically correct and in turn saying what he wants to say instead of whats expected. I would love to see the POTUS (any prez) stand at the podium and tell the gaggle of press vultures to "go E'F!!! YOURSELVES"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Wait a minute Rightys
    August 22, 2012 8:04 am
    It wasn't the fact that this guy used foul language thats the issue I could care less about that it's that he has the false belief that the press is somewhat to blame for our troops still fighting in Afghanistan.His efforts would be better served by contacting fellow GOPers and attempting to form a coalition with like thinking Dems who also want our troops brought home.The press HAS DONE a TERRIBLE job covering the war but lots of the blame falls on the military commanders who do not allow the access that was available to the press in Vietnam
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    WHat? Messy 101, Please
    August 22, 2012 1:38 pm
    The press is too busy slobbering over Obama. To Lame Stream Media Obama is like the Kardisianss, or Brangolina or Who J-Lo's married too. He's the American Idol President. The US Medai doesn't WANT to cover the War. It's not hip and cool like Barry. That's why you Think he goes on such hard hitting news show's like "The VIew" or "Entertainment Tonight" for his press conferences....How 'bout Say it ain't so Joe....?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • twelfthnight wrote...
    Well this makes my choice easier.
    August 22, 2012 8:01 am
    I don’t care that he used an F-bomb, but I do care that he holds views about abortion that I find abhorrent. This man will not be getting my vote.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    twelve- considering the piece is about the war, not abortion....
    August 22, 2012 8:48 am
    YOU must have already knew his views on abortion --- and this blurb blog didn't change anything.

    But nice try to change the topic.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }