Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Hasselbeck says his comments ripping her are ‘archaic,’ ’sexist’

BY ANDREW HERRMANN - (Chi Sun-Times)

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright has his pulpit; Elisabeth Hasselbeck has hers.

On Sunday, in a sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ, Wright railed against the media, including Hasselbeck, an outspoken Republican and co-host of the daytime TV show “The View.”

While not saying her name, Wright referred to Hasselbeck, who was critical of Wright during the presidential campaign, as “that dumb broad on ‘The View.’ ”

On the ABC show Monday, Hasselbeck — who has called Wright a “hate monger” who “hates America” — fired back. “By choosing those words, in my opinion, pretty much proves my points I’ve been making about him,” she said. “To call someone who simply disagrees with you a dumb broad is not only archaic but sexist.”

Hasselbeck also complained that Wright called her “a dizzy blond.” She said dryly, “I’m not a natural blond.”

Wright has likened U.S. foreign policy to the oppression by the Roman empire, using the phrase “garlic-nosed Italians,” which Hasselbeck said is similar to a slur against Jews. Again referring Sunday to ancient Rome, Wright said, “I know that dumb broad on the — what’s her name — ‘The View,’ don’t like that.”

A supporter of Sen. John McCain for president, Hasselbeck pressed Barack Obama on “The View” last spring about his long association with Wright’s church.

She has often been at odds with her liberal co-hosts. But Monday they rushed to her defense. Co-host Sherri Shepherd said she disagreed with Hasselbeck’s characterization of Wright but suggested his comments were un-Christian. “In the pulpit, normally, people you don’t like, you say something like, ‘We’re going to pray for that person,’ ” said Shepherd.

A message left Monday with Wright’s assistant was not returned.