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Leaders grin and bear it amid legislators' gaffes

Romanoff, May encourage parties to be responsible

Chris Barge and Alan Gathright

Published February 8, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, apologized Thursday for his disparaging remark the day before about unmarried teenage parents.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, apologized Thursday for his disparaging remark the day before about unmarried teenage parents.

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One month. Three embarrassments. Ninety days to go.

House Minority Leader Mike May said Thursday he felt like Kathleen Turner's character in the movie War of the Roses, who says in an exasperated moment, "What fresh hell is this?"

Indeed, May and House Speaker Andrew Romanoff have had more than their fair share of crises to deal with since opening day Jan. 9.

First, incoming Rep. Doug Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, kicked a Rocky photographer during a prayer on the House floor and was censured.

Then, Rep. Michael Garcia, D-Aurora, resigned after a female lobbyist accused him of sexual misconduct at a bar.

And on Wednesday, Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, called unmarried teen parents "sluts" at a Republican caucus.

The session, which ends in May, hasn't seen this kind of turmoil since the spring of 2006, when May was promoted to his current post after House Minority Leader Joe Stengel, R-Littleton, resigned from leadership over excessive per diem billing.

Sen. Deanna Hanna, D-Lakewood, was next, resigning after she wrote a letter to Realtors demanding "reparations" for their past financial support of her Republican opponent.

Soon after, Rep. Jim Welker, R-Loveland, was forced to apologize on the House floor for forwarding an essay by another author that called black Hurricane Katrina victims "immoral" and "welfare-pampered."

May thought of the War of the Roses line then, and he was shaking his head with Turner's voice in his ear again Thursday as he read a newspaper article about Liston's comments.

Liston used the derogatory term during a Republican caucus lunch on health care to express his view that unmarried teenage parents are sexually promiscuous and to complain that society condones premarital sex.

"In my parents' day and age, (unmarried teenage parents) were sent away. They were shunned. They were called what they are," Liston said at the lunch. "There was at least a sense of shame.

"There's no sense of shame today. Society condones it. . . . I think it's wrong. They're sluts."

Liston's remark got him in hot water with fellow Republicans - and his wife.

"That's an understatement," Liston said when asked if his wife had "chided" him. "My wife's a great lady. I'm a whipped puppy."

"She made it very clear that I could have said something far different," he added. "And that was at 6:50 a.m."

Liston apologized for his word choice Thursday afternoon.

"I'm definitely sorry that I ever used that word," he told the Rocky. "I had no intention of offending anybody."

Romanoff, D-Denver, called the apology appropriate. "Obviously, I don't share his sentiments, and I'm glad he took responsibility," he said.

May said he, too, was glad to see Liston apologize. But he was irritated that Rep. Debbie Staf- ford, D-Aurora, had taped photocopies of a news article on Liston's comment inside the women's bathroom off the House floor Thursday morning.

May noted that Stafford, a former Republican, held her tongue publicly when Garcia resigned. "It's the hypocrisy," May said. "Be offended, but don't be partisan offended."

Romanoff said he admonished Stafford as soon as he heard about her bathroom stunt.

"She apologized and took responsiblity and agreed not to do it again," he said.

"I'm going to get kicked out of the Democratic Party if I keep making trouble," Stafford said in a moment of levity later Thursday. She said she was not being partisan, though, but was truly offended by Liston's comments.

"It's not partisan," she said. "I just don't appreciate calling young people in pain a slut."

May took a self-effacing tack in regard to the most recent embarrassment.

"We're not professional politicians down here, and it shows," he said. "We are citizen legislators. Sometimes, we are going to do things that don't play well in prime time."

bargec@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5059

Comments

  • February 8, 2008

    5:06 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    KneeDeep writes:

    I sure am glad that Larry was able to put the problem of teenage pregnancy in perspective. The answer is simple, shun the sluts! That is sure to make things better. I see on his web site that he is quick to proudly profess his Christian faith. I am also happy that as he states, he is "proud to be a man". I am befuddled however that his statement seems to be at odds with the base tenant of Christianity, do you not worship a forgiving and loving god? Also I am confused, if a young girl becomes pregnant by someone who is "proud to be a man" where is the retribution for the male slut?

    Since he decided to make a comment on this issue, it is fair to ask, "Were you a virgin when you married your wife Mary Ann at age 32"?
    More importantly, and because he believes in the "Sanctity of Marriage" as stated on the web site, is this his second wife? If so, how do you reconcile the "Sanctity of marriage"? Please let us know, I am a Conservative but I am tired of those who profess to be conservatives who have hijacked the party and changed it to a form of religious fundamentalism. In my mind this is much the same as what we are fighting in the Middle East. I have no desire to see the Republican party become the American Taliban!

  • February 8, 2008

    6:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    seeingeyeseesall writes:

    Perhaps a simple IQ test should be required of all running for office?

    Or maybe this is what we get when anyone with a normal upbringing and life is effectively excluded from office ... nowadays it seems only weirdos who have never been caught living life occasionally and total hypocrites seem to get each party's nod. These types of politicians have run the country into a box canyon with their stupidity and ineptitude, and all they ever do is refuse to comment due to the investigation, or apologize, while never making any self improvements.

    Shun these morons, don't elect them. T

  • February 8, 2008

    7:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    crooks46 writes:

    Shame on both parties for the action of their members
    is the legislature.
    But if you're keeping score it's Republicans 2 Democrats 1.

  • February 8, 2008

    8:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TonyB writes:

    Actually, what Liston could have said was that teen-age pregnancies out of wedlock used to be the responsibility of the teenager and of the parents involved and not of all the neighbors and the surrounding community and the nation.

  • February 8, 2008

    8:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    At least two of the three fessed up! instead of trying to justify and make excuses for them self's
    >D. Bruce
    Hello! McFly! Are you in there?
    I think maybe this makes a case for voting them ALL out of office ans making a fresh start!

  • February 8, 2008

    9:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Darwin writes:

    TonyB: Remember, we were/are told "it takes a village".

  • February 8, 2008

    9:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    I think there must be several villages missing their idiots

  • February 8, 2008

    9:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rickg19611 writes:

    Perhaps if the Colorado legislature would start focusing on getting something done, instead of wasting it's time with petty childish whining about each other, they wouldn't have the image problem.

    They sound like a bunch of 5 year olds...

    "Waaaahhh..... Bruce kicked Willy.... waaaahhhhhh"
    "Waaahhhh..... Sally called Hillary a bad name.... waaaahhhhh"
    "Waaaahhhh..... Andy cheated at the game.... waaahhhh"

    Never mind the mental midgets that believe these non-issues deserve any attention.

  • February 8, 2008

    10:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    T1anda writes:

    I truly believe that to become a representative in ANY political avenue these days, one must show proof of a frontal lobotomy, present a liars club card, show proof of our corruption level, and claim residence from another planet!!! Where on earth do these idiots come from?? And, why do we keep voting them in???

  • February 8, 2008

    10:57 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    UglyDuck writes:

    KneeDeep,
    Although I feel Liston’s verbiage was inappropriate, his message was right on. Indeed, shame and a sense of moral propriety are missing from our society. You correctly noted that God Almighty is a loving God. However, because of your obviously limited understanding of God, you (and others like you) fail to understand that God is also intolerant of any sin. The truth is, we are all human and we all make mistakes. A Christian will ultimately feel ashamed for wrongdoing and seek God’s forgiveness whereas you, …, well, I think I know what you’d do. Your accusatory comments regarding Liston’s virginity, his belief in the sanctity of marriage, blah…blah…blah, only serve to discredit you. Thankfully, Liston’s salvation, or my salvation, or any other Christian’s salvation does not rest on what you (and others like you) happen to think of us. Even though Liston’s use of the word ‘slut’ was wrong, I understand his frustration and I am grateful there are people like him who are willing to stand up for the things that are right and against those that are not. And, I’m not the least bit surprised how quickly the morally bankrupt respond. You stated that you are “tired of those who profess to be conservatives who have hijacked the party and changed it to a form of religious fundamentalism”. As a conservative, registered Republican, I am also tired – tired of the same spineless candidates from which to choose each time we vote. Why is that? Quite simply, I believe the Republican party has successfully abandoned the conservative principles that “religious fundamentalists” like myself embrace. Not surprisingly, “religious fundamentalists” are beginning to withdraw their support for candidates and a party that represents our views less and less each election. From the sound of your comments, you should be happy about that. So, how’s that working out for you? Remember the last election where the Republican party took a shellac-ing at both the state and national levels? You still enjoying the ride? The fact that John McCain (or is it John McKennedy? or John McFeingold? or …) is in no sense a conservative and yet he is now leading the pack is indicative of the direction the Republican party is heading. He sounds like your kind of candidate. Again, enjoy the ride. I’m sure the Democrats are!

  • February 8, 2008

    1:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    buffsblg writes:

    I wonder uglyduck how many unwed teen moms you have met. In 18 years of child protection law I have met dozens and almost all are ashamed scared and confused. Most are in a situation they wanted to avoid but failed to, sometimes through ignorance, sometimes not. Some of them have no education as to the risks of sex, as all they have heard is the ineffective abstinence only programs forced upon the schools by the religious fundamentalists. The idea that there is a majority of girls out there having kids and not caring about the consequences is an urban myth that is part of the bill of goods the "religious fundamentalists" and those that would use them have sold the country to get what they wanted, the power to force their beliefs on every one else. To think that calling names and harking back to a society that really did not exist is some kind of solution is simply sticking your head in the sand. Feel free to be nostalgic, but that will not make the "good old days" come back. Try to come up with modern solutions to real problems then come in and join the conversation as we need everyone.

  • February 8, 2008

    3:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    UglyDuck writes:

    buffsblg,
    I’ve met my share of illegitimate parents as well – many of whom are relatives of mine. It is unconscionable that liberal ideology encourages promiscuity and then pretends to reel at the consequences. And the liberal “modern” solution you suggest – let’s distribute condoms along with the message “Please practice safe sex since everyone knows you lack both the moral conviction as well as the self control to empower you keep your pants on. Oh, and should you, for some unexplainable reason, get knocked up, don’t worry, feel good about yourself. Take comfort in knowing there is a Planned Parenthood nearby ready to extinguish the innocent life you’ve spawned, and food stamps if needed, and single parent counseling, and…” You rattle on about “ineffective abstinence only programs ‘forced’ upon the schools by the religious fundamentalist”. Typical mindless drivel! Did it ever occur to you that some people regardless of faith, have enough common sense to recognize that if you pay the piper, you’ll eventually have to dance to the music? Tell an impressionable mind that sex outside of marriage is OK if a condom is used and promiscuous sexual behavior is exactly what you’ll get. And, why is it that liberals expect everyone in society to abide by, and accept, such issues as legalized abortion, legalized drugs, promiscuous sexual behavior, etc.? But, when conservative ideals are considered, somehow those ideals are “forced” on society. Interesting. And I thought only Christians were hypocrites. Your suggestion that I “try to come up with modern solutions” seems to imply that “modern” is good and “old” is out of the question. However, I have a solution that is not only “old” but when followed, actually works. (Since liberals claim to own the market on tolerance and are the harbingers of open mindedness, and since you quack like a duck (so to speak), I’m sure you’ll embrace what I’m about to suggest.) My solution – the Bible. Here is some personal testimony. When I was growing up, even though I was raised in a Christian home I was no less sexually driven than teenagers today. However, if I had ever allowed myself to succumb to the same promiscuous behavior that is so prevalent today, I would not have been able to look my parents in the eye. That’s the “shame” that’s missing today. Guess what? I was a virgin when I married. (Hard to believe, huh?) Within the last 6 years my two boys got married and each one of them confided in me that they, too, were virgins. I recall my youngest telling me that it’s really not that difficult to remain chaste and that people don’t just wake up in the morning and discover they’ve spent the night with someone. In fact, it’s a choice people consciously make. And he was so right. People can choose to behave like “alley cats” or they can choose to conduct themselves in a more dignified and respectable manner.