Jerry Brown's campaign apologized Thursday for a private conversation captured on audiotape that has the California Democratic gubernatorial candidate agreeing to an aide's description of Republican rival Meg Whitman as a "whore."

The exchange, inadvertently recorded by a voicemail, discussed Whitman cutting a deal to protect law enforcement pensions as the candidates competed for endorsements from police.

In the garbled audio recording, first reported by The Los Angeles Times, Brown can be heard leaving a voice message for Scott Rate, a union official for the Los Angeles Police Protective League.

After asking Rate for the league's endorsement, Brown says thanks and hangs up the phone, but the call doesn't end.

Instead, the message continues to record and Brown can be heard talking about the situation with his aides.

After Brown discusses his frustration with Whitman potentially cutting a deal for several seconds, another voice appears to interject saying, "What about saying that she's a whore?"

"Well I'm going to use that," Brown replies. "It proves you've cut a secret deal to protect the pensions."

The tape was released by the Los Angeles police union, the newspaper reported.

Brown Campaign Manager Steven Glazer issued an apology.

"This was a jumbled and often inaudible recording of a private conversation. At times our language was salty. We apologize to Ms. Whitman and anyone who may have been offended,"

But Brown campaign spokesman Sterling Clifford, who confirmed the authenticity of the tape to Fox News, noted that Brown didn't use the offensive language and the campaign is not sure who did.

"Our headquarters is basically an open warehouse. There are typically 30 to 50 people in these meetings ... A lot of different people could have said it."

Whitman campaign spokesman Sarah Pompei released a response to reports of the recording late Thursday.

"The use of the term 'whore' is an insult to both Meg Whitman and to the women of California. This is an appalling and unforgivable smear against Meg Whitman. At the very least Mr. Brown tacitly approved this despicable slur and he himself may have used the term at least once on this recording," Pompei said.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/08/report-recording-captures-brown-camp-calling-whitman-whore/?test=latestnews

What a piece of garbage. I have worked on many campaigns and I have never heard a candidate or their inner circle sink so low.

Id love to hear the tape, in text it leaves much to not be appalled about


in text, someone else said it and in text it doesnt prove that he was responding to that person specifically


more guilt by association smearing that I get so tired of at election times,,,

It it obviously him calling her a whore...about 6 times - lol
the recording is here

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/an-associate-of-jerry-brown-calls-meg-whitman-a-whore-over-pension-reform.html

ohhh kay,, seriously didnt hear overwhelming evidence of anything

sounds like the garble of AT LEAST five different people talking and I dont know who was communicating with whom from that recording,,,except when the lady ADDRESSES him by name and she is not the one who made the whore statement,,,

sounds like someone set him up... i heard the phone hang up too

lol, of course, they sent it to the news didnt they?...lol


sensationalism is a best seller,

Is Brown still hooked up with traitor Hanoi Jane?

This one may knock him back a few points!!

Brown has no reason to apologize, there's no proof he said it...but still someone did in his campaign....but she IS a whore and a shill...for Big Corporation...that's what "whore" meant when someone said it. Freaking Dems need to man up and call a spade a spade. Tired of whimpy DEMS who should be slamming Big Corp and the people running for them.

Pfffft.

Oh, so you think it's ok to call a woman a whore? That has only happened one time in my presance, in my life and the person was out for a good 5 minutes.

you caused someone physical harm for using their freedom of speech?

interesting,,,

i got into an altercation with a guy who called my now ex a whore,wish i could find him,i'd apologize and tell him how right he was

Yea, I did and I am proud of it. No one will EVER disrespect a woman in front of me, PERIOD.

Many women feel disrespected when a man stands up for them, as if they cannot do it for themselves.

*steps back to watch the self beat-down*

The term was used to mean a political whore, someone who sells out their principles for money. That takes the edge off it for me.

I only heard him call her a whore once shortly after he got done talking on the phone. Then it was mostly background noise, wish there was a time line on the recording so the other alleged "whores" could be pointed out.

Neither would be appropriate, actually.

If you don't like it, walk away.

Ok whatever you say Dr. Phil.

So that makes it better?

Yes, absolutely. He was commenting on the fact that she compromised her conservative principles in order to get support from police unions.