Angry Carl Paladino Asks For Forgiveness Via Awkward Apology; Campaign Manager And Noted Homophobe Michael Caputo Immediately Calls Andrew Cuomo A “Very Oily Kind Of Career Politician”

Ahead of a New York gubernatorial debate next Monday, angry, odd Republican candidate Carl Paladino offered an apology (of sorts) for comments he continually made offending gays, including a suggestion that homosexuality was not a valid option, that children should not be “brainwashed” into thinking homosexuality was acceptable, and a compulsive, continual repulsion at gay pride parades. In a 400-word letter, reports the New York Times, Paladino wrote “I have made mistakes.” He added that he “should have chosen better words,” that he was a “live-and-let-person” and that his views on same sex marriage were similar to President Obama. “If elected governor,” wrote Paladino, “I will stand and fight for all gay New Yorker’s rights. I ask for your forgiveness on my poorly chosen words.” New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn, who is openly gay, said of the apology, “This is not a question of choosing poor words or a misrepresentation of his remarks. His beliefs are wrong and filled with hate.” Michael R. Caputo, Paladino’s campaign manager (who has a history for anti-gay histrionics) said that Paladino had waited one day before making an effort to explain himself because the media was preventing his message from reaching the electorate. While at least 50 pro-gay protestors gathered in front of Paladino’s Buffalo, New York offices, including a child in a stroller holding a sign that read “I was not brainwashed,” Caputo said that Democratic gubernatorial candidate and main rival Andrew Cuomo was “a very experienced, very polished, very smooth, very oily kind of career politician.”