On Question of Terror Trials, Carl Paladino Drops An F-Bomb

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino speaks during an interview with The...

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, in New York. Tea Party candidate Carl Paladino threatened to "take out" a reporter following a heated exchange, spotlighting a candidate known for his impulsive and outlandish comments and whose unapologetically checkered past has made him a lightening rod.

(Mark Lennihan/AP Photo)
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Paladino's Blustery Style Getting Him Plenty of Attention

The allegations against Cuomo and the argument with Dicker are the most recent in a series of scandal-making flare-ups for Paladino that includes inappropriate emails, offensive comments, and details about his personal life.

"In a short amount of time, he's developed a reputation for being fast and loose with the facts," said Stu Rothenberg, editor of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report.

"He's one of these candidates who anything he says or does is an attempt to mix it up. In short, he's a loose cannon," he said.

In a state where Republican candidates are typically moderate, Paladino promised to "take a baseball bat to Albany." His tough talking style gave him an easy victory in the Republican primary over former congressman Rick Lazio.

Paladino's reputation for ignoring political correctness, sometimes at the risk of being offensive, earned him the backing of the Tea Party movement.

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When Paladino announced his candidacy a series of emails he wrote or forwarded came to light, which included pornographic images including bestiality and profane and racist language.

One email shows a group of black men running in front of an airplane with the caption: "run n---ers run." Another email includes a doctored image of President Obama and Michelle Obama dressed like a pimp and a prostitute. Still another published email contains a photograph depicting a woman engaged in a sex act with a horse.

It was not until early this month that Paladino apologized for sending the emails to those who "found them offensive" and said they were only intended for his friends.

"The real obscenity is Albany," Paladino told CNN when asked about the emails.

Paladino also described state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who is Jewish, as an "Antichrist or Hitler."

The existence of the emails came out early in the primary but did not keep Paladino from winning the nomination, nor did news that the real estate mogul had carried on an extramarital affair and had a love child.