Paladino Apologizes for Remarks About Gays

BUFFALO — Carl P. Paladino, the Republican nominee for governor of New York, apologized on Tuesday for delivering comments that offended gay people, even as his campaign manager provoked a new controversy by calling the Democratic nominee, Andrew M. Cuomo, “oily.” In a letter to the public totaling more than 400 words, Mr. Paladino said in plain language what few expected to hear: “I have made mistakes.” He had faced widespread criticism for telling Jewish leaders on Sunday that children should not be “brainwashed” into thinking homosexuality was “an equally valid and successful option” — and for later expressing revulsion at gay pride parades. But shortly after the apology was released, Mr. Paladino’s campaign manager, Michael R. Caputo, prompted another flare-up by saying Mr. Cuomo was “a very experienced, very polished, very smooth, very oily kind of career politician.” Asked for Mr. Cuomo’s response to being referred to by Mr. Caputo as “oily,” Marissa Shorenstein, a campaign spokeswoman said, “He doesn’t merit a response.” The two men, along with five other candidates for governor, will face off in a debate on Monday night at Hofstra University. In his letter, Mr. Paladino did not back down from the content of his remarks on homosexuality, though he acknowledged that he “should have chosen better words.” He described himself as a “live-and-let-live person” and said his views on same-sex marriage matched those of President Obama. “If elected as your governor, I will stand and fight for all gay New Yorkers’ rights,” Mr. Paladino wrote. “I ask you for forgiveness on my poorly chosen words.” Gay advocates said Mr. Paladino’s apology came too late and did little to mitigate his harsh words. The City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, who is the city’s highest-ranking openly gay official, said: “This is not a question of choosing poor words or a misinterpretation of his remarks. His beliefs are wrong and filled with hate.” And Brian Ellner, an advocate for same-sex marriage who represents the group Human Rights Campaign, said he still believed Mr. Paladino was unfit to be governor. Still, Mr. Ellner added, “It’s appropriate that he recognize that his language was hurtful and grossly inappropriate.” Mr. Paladino’s remarks on Sunday garnered criticism from many corners, including from fellow Republicans. On Monday, he received further condemnation when he defiantly refused to apologize and added that he was “disgusted” by some of the behavior and attire displayed at gay pride parades, including one he happened upon in Toronto with his wife. Mr. Paladino blamed the news media on Tuesday for turning his remarks into an overheated controversy. “I am not perfect,” he wrote. “I will reach out to leaders of the gay community to educate me on how to better represent my support for the rights of all citizens.” Gay advocates were particularly incensed by a reference to homosexuality as “dysfunctional” in a draft of Mr. Paladino’s speech made public on Sunday. Mr. Paladino never delivered that remark, and in his letter, he explained that he had redacted the reference before the speech because he considered it “unacceptable.” He has said it was included at the suggestion of Orthodox Jewish rabbis. On Tuesday, at a news conference in Albany, Mr. Caputo took responsibility for the appearance of the remark, saying he had cooperated with the Orthodox community in writing the statement. “The speech mistake is on me,” he said. Asked why Mr. Paladino had waited 24 hours to apologize after defending himself during various appearances on Monday, Mr. Caputo said that Mr. Paladino’s efforts to explain himself and put his remarks into context had not gotten through to the public and that Mr. Paladino had been urged by gay friends and family to speak out more directly. As Mr. Paladino met with business leaders and appeared at a fund-raiser in Albany, more than 50 protesters gathered outside his offices in downtown Buffalo. Many chanted “Paladino must go!” Others held rainbow-colored flags. A boy in a stroller held a sign reading, “I was not brainwashed.”