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US politician insists on chaperone for interview with female reporter | US politician insists on chaperone for interview with female reporter |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A Republican candidate for Mississippi governor has refused to be interviewed by a female reporter unless she brings a male colleague with her. | A Republican candidate for Mississippi governor has refused to be interviewed by a female reporter unless she brings a male colleague with her. |
Larrison Campbell, 40, said she had asked to shadow Robert Foster on a 15-hour "ride-a-long" on his campaign, but was denied because of her sex. | Larrison Campbell, 40, said she had asked to shadow Robert Foster on a 15-hour "ride-a-long" on his campaign, but was denied because of her sex. |
Mr Foster said he was acting out of precaution and he did not want to raise any suspicions about his marriage. | Mr Foster said he was acting out of precaution and he did not want to raise any suspicions about his marriage. |
"This is my truck, and in my truck we go by my rules," he said on CNN. | "This is my truck, and in my truck we go by my rules," he said on CNN. |
During the CNN interview with Ms Campbell and Mr Foster on Thursday, the 36-year-old gubernatorial candidate cited his religion and faith, arguing he made a vow to his wife to not be alone with someone of the opposite sex. | |
He cited the late Christian evangelist Billy Graham, who had said he would not spend time alone with any woman who was not his wife, as well as Vice-President Mike Pence, who has said he will not eat alone with a woman other than his wife. | He cited the late Christian evangelist Billy Graham, who had said he would not spend time alone with any woman who was not his wife, as well as Vice-President Mike Pence, who has said he will not eat alone with a woman other than his wife. |
"I don't trust the perception that the world puts on people when they see things and they don't ask a question, they don't look to find out the truth," he said. | "I don't trust the perception that the world puts on people when they see things and they don't ask a question, they don't look to find out the truth," he said. |
"Perception is a reality in this world, and I don't want to give anybody the opinion that I'm doing something that I should not be doing." | "Perception is a reality in this world, and I don't want to give anybody the opinion that I'm doing something that I should not be doing." |
Mr Foster said following the #MeToo movement, "men are under attack all the time". | Mr Foster said following the #MeToo movement, "men are under attack all the time". |
"I'm not going to allow myself to be put in a situation with any female where they can make an accusation against me" without someone else in attendance, he said. | "I'm not going to allow myself to be put in a situation with any female where they can make an accusation against me" without someone else in attendance, he said. |
When asked if he would allow the 15-hour interview with a man, Mr Foster said he would, adding: "I stand my ground." | When asked if he would allow the 15-hour interview with a man, Mr Foster said he would, adding: "I stand my ground." |
Ms Campbell, who has interviewed Mr Foster numerous times, called the decision sexist. | |
She argued that if she were expected to go by his rules in his truck, he should provide the male chaperone. | She argued that if she were expected to go by his rules in his truck, he should provide the male chaperone. |
Mr Foster said his campaign staff was too small at the time to provide assistance. | Mr Foster said his campaign staff was too small at the time to provide assistance. |
"What you're saying here is that a woman is a sexual object first and a reporter second," ms Campbell told Mr Foster on Thursday. | |
She asked Mr Foster how he could tell voters he would be a good governor if he could not be alone in a room with a woman, citing numerous female staff members in the current governor's office. | She asked Mr Foster how he could tell voters he would be a good governor if he could not be alone in a room with a woman, citing numerous female staff members in the current governor's office. |
Mr Foster said he could achieve that by leaving the door open or having people in the room next door, but that the 15-hour vehicle ride was a different situation. | Mr Foster said he could achieve that by leaving the door open or having people in the room next door, but that the 15-hour vehicle ride was a different situation. |
The debate over Mr Foster and Ms Campbell has drawn renewed attention to the sentiment that men are uncomfortable being with women alone. | |
Two years ago Mr Pence made headlines after comments he made in 2002 that he "never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and that he won't attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side" resurfaced. | Two years ago Mr Pence made headlines after comments he made in 2002 that he "never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and that he won't attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side" resurfaced. |
Some argue the practice is a matter of professionalism in the workplace while critics decry it as sexist and unfair to women in professional settings. | Some argue the practice is a matter of professionalism in the workplace while critics decry it as sexist and unfair to women in professional settings. |