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McHenry comment sparks flap

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on April 7, 2008 - 8:06am.
Tags: Congress '08 | Iraq | Lance Sigmon | Patrick McHenry | Under the Dome

U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry's description of a security guard caused a flap.

At a Lincoln County Republicans event, McHenry told a story about being turned away from the gym in the Green Zone during a trip to Baghdad because he did not have his ID on him.

"Sure enough, the guard wouldn't let me in," McHenry told the crowd, according to an audio tape. "He said I didn't have the correct credentials," McHenry continued. "It's 5 o'clock in the morning and I haven't had sleep. I was not very happy with this two-bit security guard."

McHenry said he then spoke with guard's supervisor, but 30 minutes later was escorted back to his room.

Lance Sigmon, McHenry's opponent in the upcoming primary posted a video of the speech on YouTube, saying McHenry showed "obvious contempt" for the guard, and McHenry later apologized.

"I regret the poor choice of words I used to describe the foreign contractor," he said. (Char-O)

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