Report: Knotts Called Haley 'F---ing Raghead,' Attacked Her Religion, Family

Ben Frumin | June 4, 2010
TPM Muckraker

It sounds like South Carolina State. Sen. Jake Knotts' "raghead" comments last night are even worse than first reported.

Not only did he refer to Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley as a "raghead" during an internet political radio show taped in a bar -- but Knotts called her a "f---ing raghead" afterward, according to a report from the Free-Times.

"She's a f---ing raghead," Knotts reportedly said.

This report comes on the heels of an earlier account from the co-host of the internet political talk show Pub Politics, the forum for Knotts' comments. Knotts -- who supports Haley opponent Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer in the state's Republican gubernatorial primary -- did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment this morning.

The show is co-hosted by Phil Bailey and Wes Donehue. Donehue, a GOP operative, figured into an earlier chapter in the scandal surrounding blogger Will Folks' claim that he had an affair with Haley. Donehue sent Folks an expletive-laced text message about the story being discussed, and was reportedly trying to shop an affidavit to reporters. For his part, Bailey works with the Senate Democratic Caucus.

(Continued here.)