Baker's “Sweetheart” Controversy

Massachusetts lawmakers William Straus and Keiko Orrall also weigh in on November's ballot questions

Election 2014 in Massachusetts features ballot questions on major issues ranging from the gas tax to casinos to bottle deposits to paid sick leave.

Meanwhile, a new issue was added to the hot contest for governor all because of a word when GOP candidate Charlie Baker called a Fox 25 reporter "sweetheart."

Massachusetts state Rep. Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville) said female voters shouldn't be offended by the slip.

"He apologized, he said it was a mistake and he said he was kidding and it's a non-issue, so I think that's where we have to leave it," she said, adding that Broadside host Jim Braude also told her to "take a seat, sweetheart," before the start of the segment.

Baker must focus on his message from this point forward until Election Day in November, Orral said.

"There's no 'war on women,' there's a war on the hardworking taxpayers of the Commonwealth and Charlie Baker is the person who is going to end that war," she said.

Massachusetts state Rep. William Straus (D-Mattapoisett) said it would be easy to dismiss this incident if it wasn't part of an ongoing pattern.

"Over the last several weeks, and the fact that he had a 'Women for Charlie' event shows they're very much aware that the Charlie Baker who now, bit by bit, begins to reveal himself is someone who by language and instinct doesn't relate to people," he said.

Orrall and Straus also weigh in on ballot questions in the above video. 

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