A history of gaffes
Gov. Charlie Baker’s awkward dismissal of U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s defense of identity politics as “that rant” at the MLK Breakfast in Boston wasn’t his first controversial gaffe:
During a 2018 gubernatorial debate, Baker said he hadn’t decided whether to vote for fellow Republican Geoff Diehl for U.S. Senate — though he already endorsed him. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet with respect to that one,” Baker said. After the debate, Baker said he had misspoken and confirmed he would vote for Diehl.
In 2014, as a candidate for governor, Baker called TV reporter Sharman Sacchetti “sweetheart.” The Massachusetts chapter of the National Organization for Women slammed Baker’s “sexist treatment of a female reporter.” Baker said in a statement, “I apologize to Sharman, as she is an accomplished professional and someone who I have come to both respect and consider a friend.”
Also during the 2014 campaign, Baker took heat for his comments on the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Hobby Lobby, which found that employers can avoid the birth control coverage mandate for religious reasons. Baker said the decision “doesn’t matter” in Massachusetts. “It doesn’t change a thing, which is great,” Baker added. NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts ripped Baker, saying, “The Hobby Lobby decision does more than just impact women’s ability in Massachusetts to access contraception without a copay — it creates a dangerous precedent for discrimination. We are already seeing employers — even some in Massachusetts — trying to take advantage of this decision.” Baker pledged to put aside $300,000 as governor to cover women affected by the ruling.
Sometimes his remarks just draw odd looks. Speaking to a room of 250 grayclad State Police cadets last week, Baker cracked, “I’m very impressed by the diversity of your uniforms.” Crickets. Baker then moved on into his planned remarks.