By Kevin Landrigan
Nashua Telegraph
April 14, 2011
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/newsstatenewengland/915808-227/bettencourt-e-mail-sought-support-from-gop-colleagues.html
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A day after calling Roman Catholic Bishop John McCormack a “pedophile pimp,” House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, apologized for his choice of words and sought his colleagues’ continued support.
In an April 2 e-mail sent to House Republicans, Bettencourt struck an even more conciliatory tone than he maintained publicly.
“To be sure this is a difficult time for me, but I hope that you will stand with me and I can retain your support. It would mean a great deal to me and my family,” Bettencourt wrote.
“I don’t ask that you agree with my statements or the severity of my sentiments but there are challenges and hard work that remains, and I would like to continue as your majority leader.”
In media interviews on this same day, Bettencourt said he should have chosen his words more carefully but would not apologize for the remarks.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the e-mail in response to a Right-to-Know Law request.
Bettencourt declined Wednesday to respond with any further comment to the controversy.
This furor arose originally April 1 when Bettencourt, 27, posted on his Facebook account his stinging criticism of McCormack for having appeared at a rally against the House version of the state budget.
McCormack had criticized cuts to the poor in the House-passed spending plan and also restrictions on the collective bargaining rights of all public employees.
Bettencourt wrote McCormack had no standing to attack the morality of the House GOP majority and instead should have been led away in handcuffs for his role in the priest sex abuse scandal while working for Boston Catholic Cardinal Bernard Law.
The Telegraph confirmed Bettencourt wrote the April 2 e-mail seeking backing from his colleagues after meeting privately the same day with House Speaker William O’Brien, R-Mont Vernon.
Publicly, O’Brien said Bettencourt used “inappropriate” language to describe McCormack’s behavior but that many Catholics including O’Brien shared Bettencourt’s condemnation of McCormack for his part in letting abusive priests remain in service to the church.
Many newspaper editorials condemned Bettencourt’s comments, and some leading Democrats called for the House GOP leader to step aside.
When asked if that should occur, however, O’Brien said Bettencourt has been invaluable to his leadership team and that he remains popular in his home district.
Also on April 2, Bettencourt sent McCormack a letter saying that upon reflection, his comments were “undiplomatic and a better choice of words was both warranted and appropriate.”
Bettencourt said that for many Catholics, McCormack’s “presence as bishop is an ongoing reminder of an evil that was perpetrated on those most vulnerable and innocent.”
After Bettencourt had originally spoken out against McCormack, many rank-and-file, conservative House Republicans weighed in publicly to defend the remarks and further criticize McCormack.
Rep. Andrew Manuse, R-Derry, said he would explore a bill taking away the tax-exempt status of Catholic church, an idea he backed away from the next day.
Rep. Timothy Comerford, R-Fremont, called McCormack a “corrupt scumbag” and said Bettencourt should not “kowtow” to the Catholic leader.
Kevin Landrigan can be reached at 321-7040 or klandrigan@nashuatelegraph.com
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