Rep. Steve Scalise said Wednesday he should be judged by his recent record and the defense of his colleagues, not by his decision more than a decade ago as a state legislator to speak to a group with racist ties.
House Republicans couldn’t escape questions about Mr. Scalise, their No. 3-ranking leader, Wednesday as they faced reporters together for the first time since the news broke last month. House Speaker John A. Boehner said he had faith in Mr. Scalise, and chalked up the speech as a rookie politician’s mistake, not a flaw in one of his lieutenants.
“I know this man. I work with him. I know what’s in his heart. He’s a decent, honest person who made a mistake. We all make mistakes,” Mr. Boehner said.
Mr. Scalise, as a Louisiana legislator, spoke in 2002 to the European-American Unity and Rights Organization, affiliated with white supremacist David Duke. Mr. Scalise had previously said he didn’t vet the group and on Wednesday he said he should be judged based on those close to him who “know me best.”
“I reject bigotry in all forms,” he said, deflecting further questions about the speech.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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