Lt. Gov. Knoll Jabs Ravenstahl, Onorato In Front Of President ClintonPOSTED: 4:39 pm EDT April 21,
2008 PITTSBURGH -- Both Democratic candidates made a final push for votes on the eve of the Pennsylvania primary -- but it was Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll's comments to former President Bill Clinton that stole the spotlight in Pittsburgh.Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato was introducing Clinton to a crowd of about 6,000 people in Market Square, where they had gathered to hear a campaign speech by Clinton's wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton.When Onorato tried to hand over the microphone, Knoll grabbed it and let loose with some talk targeted at Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl."They never recognize the lieutenant governor. These two men can't stand women," she said, before leaving the stage while talking to Onorato.After the campaign event ended, Knoll spoke briefly with WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Paul Van Osdol."You really think that Mr. Onorato and Mr. Ravenstahl don't like women?" Van Osdol asked."No, it's a guy in the back who doesn't know who Cathy Baker Knoll is," Knoll said."Why did you say that about Luke and Dan?" Van Osdol asked."Because they're afraid of the guys who call the shots," Knoll said. "You know what? I'm not afraid of anybody."Onorato told Van Osdol he was only following the instructions of an advance team who had done preparations for the event."On these events, it's very clear," Onorato said. "The mayor was instructed to introduce me. I was to introduce the president. That's what I did."Asked if Knoll's comments surprised him, Onorato said, "I'm not going to get into that. You have to talk to her and the advance team. It's a shame because I don't want to take away from this great day.""They (Onorato and Ravenstahl) didn't know, they didn't realize," Knoll said. "They listen to these guys. They're fine, good guys."As President Clinton signed autographs and shook hands after his wife's speech, Van Osdol asked him about Knoll."I think she's an exuberant supporter of Hillary's. I'm grateful to her," Clinton said.Sen. Clinton said much the same thing."I wasn't here, but I know in the midst of rallies and hectic campaign schedules, things like this happen," Clinton said. "It got straightened out, and everybody spoke and did an excellent job, and the lieutenant governor has been a friend and supporter for 25 years." Related Links: More Commitment 2008 NewsRSS Headlines | E-Mail Headlines | Desktop Alert Copyright 2008 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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