Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts)
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:29 PM Oct 2012

GOP congressman calls abortion talk with mistress ‘imprudent approach,’ denies hypocrisy

Source: Associated Press

GOP congressman calls abortion talk with mistress ‘imprudent approach,’ denies hypocrisy
By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, October 15, 3:09 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Republican congressman from Tennessee is telling supporters he’s not a hypocrite for discussing abortion with a mistress more than a decade ago. But now he may also have to defend his medical license.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, a physician who opposes abortion rights, said in a letter that he was “deeply sorry” that supporters had to find out about the relationship with a patient that occurred while DesJarlais was separated from his first wife. But he said he used stark language about traveling to Atlanta to get an abortion try to get the woman to acknowledge that she wasn’t pregnant.

“I appreciate that this was an imprudent approach to this situation and I’m not proud of it,” DesJarlais wrote in the letter. “In retrospect I should have dealt with these matters in a more diplomatic fashion.”

“I am not trying to justify my actions or say that I am without fault,” he said. “But I am not the hypocrite my opponents and some liberal media outlets are portraying me as.”


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-congressman-calls-abortion-talk-with-mistress-imprudent-approach-denies-hypocrisy/2012/10/15/6843abf2-16e8-11e2-a346-f24efc680b8d_story.html

38 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
GOP congressman calls abortion talk with mistress ‘imprudent approach,’ denies hypocrisy (Original Post) Judi Lynn Oct 2012 OP
OK not a hypocrite. Downwinder Oct 2012 #1
or just a LIAR! lastlib Oct 2012 #17
His photo is next to the definition of hypocrit pscot Oct 2012 #34
He's deeply sorry they "had to find out?" immoderate Oct 2012 #2
Yeah, that's what they're all truly sorry about. That they got caught. calimary Oct 2012 #29
Oh, good grief, the lengths they will go to. hamsterjill Oct 2012 #3
Exactly my thoughts. nt valerief Oct 2012 #11
Unfortunately it's true eyewall Oct 2012 #13
Yes he is a hypocrit, and an a-hole to boot. Shrike47 Oct 2012 #4
The Post is oddly tough on Republicans today. /nt Ash_F Oct 2012 #5
He's lucky they didn't "try to give her an abortion louis-t Oct 2012 #6
Well, Well.... Volaris Oct 2012 #7
The dog ate my homework.. guappo1 Oct 2012 #8
See it works like this... Javaman Oct 2012 #9
This is just another version of the "inarticulate" non-apology. reflection Oct 2012 #10
Gee, thanks Tennessee for sending a 'representative' to Congress? Really? benld74 Oct 2012 #12
Is anyone running against this punk??!?!? Liberal_Stalwart71 Oct 2012 #14
Yes. Eric Stewart is his Democratic opposition in the 4th Tsiyu Oct 2012 #35
“deeply sorry” that supporters had to find out about... olddad56 Oct 2012 #15
I'll bet Robme would be deeply sorry if his 2009 tax return was 'found out'... olddad56 Oct 2012 #16
Crap. I had "youthful indiscretion" in the excuse betting pool. -nt Liberal Veteran Oct 2012 #18
He IS a hypocrite. Rider3 Oct 2012 #19
He should be deluged with email links to the word 'hypocrite.' freshwest Oct 2012 #21
Or faxes... Bluenorthwest Oct 2012 #26
Thanks for the research. freshwest Oct 2012 #31
Very Deeply Don C. Nuttin Oct 2012 #20
I'll bet he's a liar and a hypocrite JohnnyRingo Oct 2012 #22
Scott DesJarlais defines hypocrisy, an adulterer hitting on his patients while claiming Bluenorthwest Oct 2012 #23
Republicans, you just can't slime your way any lower Berlum Oct 2012 #24
"imprudent approach" Liberalagogo Oct 2012 #25
He could start by explaining the prudent way to screw around with your patients Bluenorthwest Oct 2012 #28
Did everyone know Rmoney was arrested in 1981? classykaren Oct 2012 #27
The more disturbing part is the relations with a patient BrainGlutton23 Oct 2012 #30
"Pro-life and PROUD OF IT. (Nov 2010)" KansDem Oct 2012 #32
the whole thing that bothers me is that he will probably be re-elected oldhippydude Oct 2012 #33
This message was self-deleted by its author Shrike47 Oct 2012 #36
He "used stark language about traveling to Atlanta to get an abortion mac56 Oct 2012 #37
But if she were pregnant, abortion was the way to go? kiranon Oct 2012 #38

calimary

(81,283 posts)
29. Yeah, that's what they're all truly sorry about. That they got caught.
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:41 PM
Oct 2012

I remember during the 2000 campaign when word got out that laura bush had actually killed somebody by smashing into him with her car. She was much younger, I think either in high school or just a little afterwards. But she was driving and smashed into this guy's car and KILLED HIM.

And her response was - "I'm sorry it happened and I'm sorry it was reported."

They're just sorry YOU manage to find out about some of their shit. This is a consistent thread for these assholes. What they REALLY, HONESTLY (if you can use the word "honesty" in any application to these folks) are sorry for - is that news about their shit actually got out to the people.

hamsterjill

(15,220 posts)
3. Oh, good grief, the lengths they will go to.
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:40 PM
Oct 2012

The really and truly believe that if they just keep denying it long enough, that everyone will believe them sooner or later.

What a shithead!

eyewall

(674 posts)
13. Unfortunately it's true
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:54 PM
Oct 2012

Republican voters will believe anything a republican politician says if it's repeated often enough. Plus he blamed it on the "liberal media" so the facts shouldn't be taken seriously.

Volaris

(10,271 posts)
7. Well, Well....
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:44 PM
Oct 2012

Isn't it nice of the good Congressman to let us in on which button to push that REALLY bother them.....

"I am not trying to justify my actions or say that I am without fault,” he said. “But I am not the hypocrite my opponents and some liberal media outlets are portraying me as.”

What he means is, we can call him a SOB dirty SINNER all we want, because he knows that the REAL damage comes with the Public Perception that there is one set of Rules for US, and another set for all those Little People.

Well Congressman, how about "Fuck you. THAT'S my name." as an appropriate response.

guappo1

(53 posts)
8. The dog ate my homework..
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:47 PM
Oct 2012

With out having the dog poop laying around it is hard to prove that story.
So when DesJarlais tell his story He could say anything about what his intent was,
but I hope most people will not buy into that Dog crap.

Tsiyu

(18,186 posts)
35. Yes. Eric Stewart is his Democratic opposition in the 4th
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 09:33 PM
Oct 2012


he is running ads now; don't know how much the Dem Party is helping.

The Dem Party refused to help Dem incumbent Lincoln Davis; Grover Norquist gave us the Teabagger DesJarLAID.

So I'm hoping with this new development, the party will kick in for Stewart this time around.
DesJarLAID is funded from outside TN.

olddad56

(5,732 posts)
15. “deeply sorry” that supporters had to find out about...
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:56 PM
Oct 2012

That seems to be a theme among all of the republican scumbags who get their secrets exposed.

They are not sorry for doing something inappropriate, they are only sorry their supporters found out. They are sorry that it impacts their ability to con older, conservative, naive, wealthy people out of donating money to their war chests. It doesn't bother them in the least that they did something unethical, it bothers them that it will cost them money and votes.

And I suppose they lose a bit of status among the con artist community for getting their cover blown.

olddad56

(5,732 posts)
16. I'll bet Robme would be deeply sorry if his 2009 tax return was 'found out'...
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:58 PM
Oct 2012

but he wouldn't be sorry that he cheated on his taxes, he would be sorry that the voters found out.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
21. He should be deluged with email links to the word 'hypocrite.'
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:08 PM
Oct 2012
hyp·o·crite noun

1.a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.

2.a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hypocrite
 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
26. Or faxes...
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:38 PM
Oct 2012

Scott DesJarlais
DC Address:
The "Honorable" Scott DesJarlais
United States House of Representatives
413 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4204

DC Phone: 202-225-6831

DC Fax: 202-226-5172

Contact Form: http://desjarlais.house.gov/contact/
Twitter: @DesJarlaisTN04

District Offices:
807 South Garden Street
Columbia, TN 38401 Voice: 931-381-9920
FAX: 931-381-9945

62 East Second Street
Crossville, TN 38555 Voice: 931-707-9091
FAX: 931-707-9100

JohnnyRingo

(18,633 posts)
22. I'll bet he's a liar and a hypocrite
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:29 PM
Oct 2012

He now claims he discussed going to Atlanta to get his girlfriend to admit she wasn't pregnant. There's no more mention how the pregnancy turned out, but I assume she ended up not so.

I think it's far more likely that they quietly carried out their plans to abort the fetus at a clinic in Atlanta than his girlfriend was making it up. The congressman is counting on the legal discretion of the clinic, as he well should be able to.

Still, i think he's a liar and a hypocrite

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
23. Scott DesJarlais defines hypocrisy, an adulterer hitting on his patients while claiming
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:34 PM
Oct 2012

to be 'pro marriage and proud of it'. Forget the rest, that alone is enough to place him in the top eschelon of hypocrites, even among the highly competitive Republican division. Oh, yeah, I like that the story notes he was cheating on his wife, but not the wife he has right now, his first wife! Sanctity o' marriage on parade!

Berlum

(7,044 posts)
24. Republicans, you just can't slime your way any lower
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:34 PM
Oct 2012

freaking sleazeball etch-a-sketch hypocrite wank artistes (R)

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
28. He could start by explaining the prudent way to screw around with your patients
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:40 PM
Oct 2012

as a physician and married man...is there a prudent way to do that?

classykaren

(769 posts)
27. Did everyone know Rmoney was arrested in 1981?
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:39 PM
Oct 2012

I thought it was not true but I found out it was true had his record sealed for disorderly conduct.

 

BrainGlutton23

(37 posts)
30. The more disturbing part is the relations with a patient
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:42 PM
Oct 2012

which a doctor is not supposed to have, generally speaking. Which does not speak well of DesJarlais' propensity to observe codes of ethics, generally speaking.

KansDem

(28,498 posts)
32. "Pro-life and PROUD OF IT. (Nov 2010)"
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 05:58 PM
Oct 2012

"On the Issues" with Scott DesJarlais:

Scott DesJarlais on Abortion

Pro-life and PROUD OF IT. (Nov 2010)
Voted YES on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion. (May 2011)
Supports prohibiting human embryonic stem cell research. (Aug 2010)
Opposes federal abortion funding. (Aug 2010)
Prohibit federal funding for abortion. (May 2011)
Prohibiting forced abortions by UN Population Fund. (May 2011)

http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Scott_DesJarlais.htm

F*cking, smarmy POS and hypocrite!

oldhippydude

(2,514 posts)
33. the whole thing that bothers me is that he will probably be re-elected
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 06:03 PM
Oct 2012

look how they trounced David Vitter (not)...

Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

mac56

(17,569 posts)
37. He "used stark language about traveling to Atlanta to get an abortion
Tue Oct 16, 2012, 02:17 PM
Oct 2012

to try to get the woman to acknowledge that she wasn't pregnant."

Oh puh-leeze.

kiranon

(1,727 posts)
38. But if she were pregnant, abortion was the way to go?
Tue Oct 16, 2012, 02:24 PM
Oct 2012

Funny how those against abortion know where one can be obtained if needed and won't have qualms about their "love interest" getting one. His excuse/denial sounds like don't look at the pretty stone over there (abortion), look at the new one (just a way to get at the truth about her pregnancy) and forget about the other one even existing at all. He hopes diversion will work with his constituents and it probably will.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»GOP congressman calls abo...