TV station catches gaffe by McKinney

[Klaus]

TV station catches gaffe by McKinney
Congresswoman berates staffer as tape rolled after interview

By BRIDGET GUTIERREZ
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/24/06

Move over Britney Spears, Cynthia McKinney's — oops! — done it again.

The flap-plagued congresswoman, who has been in the media spotlight since she scuffled with a Capitol Hill police officer last month, was caught bad-mouthing a senior staffer Saturday.

Unfortunately for McKinney, a DeKalb County Democrat who is running for re-election in the 4th Congressional District, a TV microphone she was wearing picked up her indelicate grumbling.

"Crap!" an irritated McKinney is heard saying after ending an interview with CBS 46 in which reporter Renee Starzyk repeatedly asked about the fallout from the police dust-up. "You know what? They lied to Coz and Coz is a fool."

McKinney, apparently realizing her blunder, then returned to face the camera and tell the reporter that comments about her communications director, Coz Carson, were off the record.

But the TV stationed aired the footage Saturday and the story later was picked up by CNN.

Mike Machi, Channel 46's assistant news director, said McKinney's office was aware Starzyk would ask about the fuss in the one-on-one interview.

"Congresswoman McKinney has been in Washington for a long time and she has handled the media for most of her public life," said Machi, who was unapologetic about airing the interview outtakes. "There were lots of ways to handle this and I was absolutely surprised that she handled this situation in that fashion."

McKinney, who is expected to qualify for her U.S. House race today, could not be reached Sunday for comment. But Carson, who said he began working for the congresswoman a week before the pushing incident, seemed unbothered by the public upbraiding.

"I share her frustration with the media's insatiable appetite for controversy and unimportant issues," said Carson, a former newsman who said he has known McKinney and her family for years.

Carson said he was present for Saturday's interview, which took place during a community meeting with constituents, but declined to say what led to the rebuke.

He also demurred when asked if he had spoken to McKinney about the "fool" comment.

"I'll just say I look forward to getting back to work tomorrow," he said.

Political observer Merle Black of Emory University got a chuckle out of McKinney's latest gaffe. But he said he wasn't surprised by her behavior, even in an election year.

"All of this is consistent," Black said of the way McKinney has handled the attention, including her charges that the police incident was racially motivated. "She doesn't act the way most Congress members act."


http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metr...tmckinney.html