By Neil H. Simon
Media General News Service
Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON -- A new press secretary for Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., apologized Wednesday for e-mailing a profanity-laced video to a reporter in response to ads targeting Cantor and other Republicans who oppose the economic stimulus package.
Brad Dayspring was responding to an ad by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees that features Cantor as a key figure opposing President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan.
Asked by a reporter for a response to the AFSCME ad, Dayspring e-mailed an independently-produced, profanity-laced spoof video about AFSCME from YouTube.
Dayspring said Cantor, the House Republican whip, was unaware of the "joke."
"I would like to apologize for a joke that was in no way an official response from Congressman Cantor, but instead an inappropriate email," Dayspring said in a statement.
Dayspring sent the YouTube video in response to a reporter for Politico who asked for comment about a new national TV ad drumming up support for a compromise economic stimulus plan. The TV ad targeted Cantor and other Republican leaders as "just saying no" to the stimulus plan.
While Dayspring said the YouTube video was meant as a joke, Politico quotes Dayspring as saying, "You could post this as my response."
The YouTube video is a mock 1970s-style public service announcement which uses a host of curse words to describe union work.
Dayspring also apologized to AFSCME.
Before Dayspring's afternoon apology, leaders of AFSCME and other groups lambasted Cantor.
"Cantor may think the greatest economic crisis in 70 years is a joke, but we don't," said Gerald W. McEntee, president of AFSCME.
Brad Woodhouse, president of Americans United for Change, which helped pay for the pro-stimulus ad, called the video response from Cantor's office "childish, inappropriate and disgusting."
Cantor's office did not return afternoon calls seeking comment from the congressman.
Dayspring joined Cantor's leadership office last month. Cantor will personally discipline the press secretary for the mistake, said Rob Collins, Cantor's deputy chief of staff. He declined to say what punishment Dayspring may face. Dayspring was not expected to be fired.
Labor groups were quick to accept the apology. McEntee said Dayspring was likely embarrassed. The flap shows the high-profile role Cantor has as a Republican House leader.
"He's part of the Republican leadership," McEntee said. "He coined the phrase, 'just say no to the stimulus.' That's absurd. Everybody knows we need a stimulus."
Cantor has opposed the stimulus plan for failing to include more tax cuts. He accused House Democrats of cutting Republicans out of the lawmaking process.
Cantor's wife, Diana F. Cantor, serves on the board of directors of Media General Inc.
(Contact Neil H. Simon at nsimon@mediageneral.com)
Brad Dayspring was responding to an ad by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees that features Cantor as a key figure opposing President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan.
Asked by a reporter for a response to the AFSCME ad, Dayspring e-mailed an independently-produced, profanity-laced spoof video about AFSCME from YouTube.
Dayspring said Cantor, the House Republican whip, was unaware of the "joke."
"I would like to apologize for a joke that was in no way an official response from Congressman Cantor, but instead an inappropriate email," Dayspring said in a statement.
Dayspring sent the YouTube video in response to a reporter for Politico who asked for comment about a new national TV ad drumming up support for a compromise economic stimulus plan. The TV ad targeted Cantor and other Republican leaders as "just saying no" to the stimulus plan.
While Dayspring said the YouTube video was meant as a joke, Politico quotes Dayspring as saying, "You could post this as my response."
The YouTube video is a mock 1970s-style public service announcement which uses a host of curse words to describe union work.
Dayspring also apologized to AFSCME.
Before Dayspring's afternoon apology, leaders of AFSCME and other groups lambasted Cantor.
"Cantor may think the greatest economic crisis in 70 years is a joke, but we don't," said Gerald W. McEntee, president of AFSCME.
Brad Woodhouse, president of Americans United for Change, which helped pay for the pro-stimulus ad, called the video response from Cantor's office "childish, inappropriate and disgusting."
Cantor's office did not return afternoon calls seeking comment from the congressman.
Dayspring joined Cantor's leadership office last month. Cantor will personally discipline the press secretary for the mistake, said Rob Collins, Cantor's deputy chief of staff. He declined to say what punishment Dayspring may face. Dayspring was not expected to be fired.
Labor groups were quick to accept the apology. McEntee said Dayspring was likely embarrassed. The flap shows the high-profile role Cantor has as a Republican House leader.
"He's part of the Republican leadership," McEntee said. "He coined the phrase, 'just say no to the stimulus.' That's absurd. Everybody knows we need a stimulus."
Cantor has opposed the stimulus plan for failing to include more tax cuts. He accused House Democrats of cutting Republicans out of the lawmaking process.
Cantor's wife, Diana F. Cantor, serves on the board of directors of Media General Inc.
(Contact Neil H. Simon at nsimon@mediageneral.com)