Rendell: 60M goaded me

Ed Rendell gives his side of the story on his freak-out on 60 Minutes:

During an interview this morning on WHYY's Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane, the governor said though he apologized to Stahl afterward for his outburst, he didn't apologize to her producers, who he said goaded her into asking him the same question "over and over again."

He said the other alternative was to walk out of the interview, which was on the subject of casinos. But, he said, "that would have been just as bad because I believe the press should have access to public officials."

. . . During the interview, Stahl pressed Rendell about casinos and their effect on addictive gamblers.

"People are losing money for the state to get its revenue," said Stahl. "They're losing money."

Rendell, who began to show signs of anger, replied: "Let me answer this ... I've known, uh, for two or three decades, you're a very smart person."

"But not now," Stahl shot back.

"But you're not getting it," Rendell said.

(h/t GrassrootsPa)

"I'm dumb now," Stahl said.

"You're not getting it," a visibly angered Rendell replied. "Those people would lose that money anyway. Don't you understand? You guys don't get that. You're simpletons. You're idiots if you don't get that."