(CNN) - A spokesman for Florida Rep. Alan Grayson is defending the outspoken congressman's recent comment calling an aide to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke a "K Street whore."
The comments - directed toward Bernanke aide Linda Robertson - came during a radio interview a month ago but are just now circulating Capitol Hill.
Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski said the congressman's comments came in response to an attack from Robertson over the his support of a GOP-backed bill to audit the Federal Reserve.
"She actually questioned his understanding of the difference between fiscal and monetary policy," he said in a statement to CNN. "She had the audacity to attack a congressman who used to be an economist. She's a career lobbyist who used to work for Enron and advocates for whatever she gets paid to promote."
Jurkowski also questioned why the comments are making news a month after the interview aired.
"Why is this coming up now? This interview happened weeks ago. This is just another way for the NRCC to attack their number 1 target," he said.
The comments are the latest in a string of controversial statements from the freshman congressman, who last month angered Republicans but became a hero to the left when he declared on the House floor that the GOP health care plan is to let sick people "die quickly."
Related: Liberals see health care hero in freshman Florida lawmaker
Several Democrats have said Grayson's language describing Robertson was inappropriate.
"Is this news to you that this guy's one fry short of a Happy Meal?" New York Rep. Anthony Weiner told Politico.
Weiner later issued a statement calling his remark about Grayson 'playful' and said the Florida Democrat is "a friend and an extraordinary member of Congress."
The Republican National committee also weighed in on the comments, calling them "disgraceful, inappropriate and disrespectful to women."
Follow Alex Mooney on Twitter @awmooneycnn
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Democrats...always classy
I can't believe what I'm reading. Evidently, CNN.com has changed their management team...
We're actually seeing reports that show both sides as being corrupt and not just the Republicans.
I truly did not think this day would come. I think the latest results showing CNN ranked as DFL has gotten their attention. Congrats on the balanced reporting.
KEEP IT UP!
I thought liberals were supposed to be sensitive and respectful of others? Or is it that they only insist respect be shown to them, and they are free to disrespect anyone who disagrees with them?
Why are the Dems staring to sound like us? No fair!
Please, to all that would think this guy is a representative the great State of Florida. He is a Brooklyn New York Yankee educated in law at the same infamous liberal law institution as our fearless President, that being HHHHaaavard. Most of the Floridians that I know think this guy is complete fool and a grandstanding idiot out to appease a minority liberal base. I can promise you that you will most likely not see him in the House or Senate after this cycle, he is done.....
Florida use to be a wonderfully beautiful State, that is before New York took a dump as the I-95 turnpipe empties in Miami, Tampa and Orlando!
He's a psycho being egged on by idiots like Chris Matthews, Ed (Sergeant 'I Know Nothing) Schultz, Olbermann and Rachel Maddow.
Birds of a feather....
Although I would have used different words, I'm glad he has the stuff to stand up to those who are stealing or are help others steal our money. Greyson may have gotten a bit ahead of himself here with the language, but he has every right to be angry.
He's inappropriate for his position, but still very funny and right on target.
This is the kind of stuff I was more expecting from Al Franken.
While his words may have been "inappropriate", he was telling the truth.
Grayson is a gray son of stupidity!
His mouth works fast, alas, his brain does not!
I hope he continues to speak plainly. I'm pretty tired of listening to these congressional macaques mince words and act like simpering fools to appease people, particularly lobbyists. Some people shouldn't be appeased, and lobbyists, obstructionist politicians and insurance companies are all quite high on that list.
I thought Pelosi wanted to tone down the rhetoric? Neither the GOP or the dems should resort to this level of political barbarism.
If Mr. Grayson and the rest of congress would focus more on unemployment maybe we would not be around 20%.
Oh the 20% came from using the standards used during the 1930's depression
Question for the Dim-a-crats out there from an old independent....are you as supportive of Joe Wilson and his outspoken "offensive" remark to Obama, as you are Grayson and his "offensive" comments? I suspect the answer is along the lines of it is okay as long as a Dim-a-crat does it, but a Republicrat should just sit down and shut up. Right? Yep, I thought so. So...who are the hypocrites?
He says what he thinks......but he thinks like a left wing loon.
Imagine if a conservative called a liberal female this. Imagine the demands for an apology and the reaction of National Organization for Women. The double standard here is blatant. The NRCC should not have to say anything if the press was doing its job.
Why does our culture allow both sides to demonize the other? Sad, but true.
Such lovely language! His mother must be so proud. we really should make children memorize his every word...
did the big bad lady insult you iddy bitty manhood by questioning your knowledge? How dare she!
A man who uses this kind of language really has a problem with women, he certainly has no respect for them
"As I've often said... this [increasing income inequality] is not the type of thing which a democratic society—a capitalist democratic society—can really accept without addressing."
- Alan Greenspan, June 2005
He says what he thinks......but he thinks like a left wing loon. And one other thing....his comments only marginilizie himself..
Democrats are going to lose the majority by huge numbers
I'd say this guy is a huge slab of fat over a mountainous portion of fried cheese, egg, mayonnaise, peanut butter and donuts...
So much hate. Divided we stand, united we will fall.
Instead of all the name calling, why dont we try and figure out a way to peacefully go our separate ways? The US of today cannot survive the intolerance and hatred we have toward one another...time we all learned that. Better we reorganize the country in a way that more closely reflects who we are and what we beleive. It works in Europe.
I like him... a breath of fresh, honest air in a stinking swamp of political correctness.
We have been so worried about how we say things, that we fail to notice that we stopped saying anything relevant years ago.
Grayson would never be Secretary of State, but I would support him for President.
Finally....a democrat with balls. He may be rough around the edges, but he sure slings it like the Republicans.
Certainly not my style, but he is very entertaining.
Just let me know when he wants to run for President. I'll be ready, as we are well known in Louisiana, to vote early and often for him.
I am confused. I did not hear anyone call Florida Rep. Alan Grayson a liar. Are they mad that he stated facts, or are they working on a better response?