[Warning: graphic images and language at the link used for this story.]
New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino says that he's not running to make a statement, he's running to win. He has the backing of local tea party and vows to spend $10 million of his own money on the race:
I bring values, resiliency, a thick skin and I'm not afraid to be confrontational. I don't remember anyone ever before bringing that to the table.
Of course there's something else that he brings to the table ... his habit of "sending hardcore pornographic and racist emails around town." They include:
- A popular video among white supremacists called "Obama Inauguration Rehearsal," that includes dancing African tribesmen.
- A video titled "Miss France 2008 fucking," that Paladino called "a keeper."
- An image of Barack and Michelle Obama dressed like a pimp and a prostitute, with the subject line, "White House ball."
- An image with the caption, "HOLY SHIT, run niggers, run."
- A bestiality video featuring a man and a horse.
Says Paladino:
I'm going to be the same Carl I have always been. I'm not going out of my way to be blunt or politically correct or anything. I'm going to be me.
Update: Via TPM:
Paladino's campaign manager, Michael Caputo, would not comment on specific emails, but acknowledged to TPMmuckraker that Paladino had sent emails that were "off-color" and "politically incorrect," saying that few such emails represented the candidate's own opinion. Caputo accused Democrats of wanting to change the subject from substantive issues to "having sex with horses."
Uh ... sure.
(h/t to marigold)