Blogs Misplay Conrad-Grassley Budget Hearing Back-and-Forth as 'Locker Room' Banter

NY Times: The exchange has been picked up all around, depicted — and scolded — as cheesy, sex-laced banter, during discussions about rather weighty issues like, uh, the deficits. But what’s missing from the takes at other Web sites — even though the follow-up line alludes to what’s going on between the two — is indeed the context. Senator Grassley’s comeback and the ending line (“Well, your wife said the same thing.”) close the loop. Senator Conrad responded: “She did, she said you were the biggest hit of all the speakers at the event.â€



The event, we’re told, was the 20th Annual Legislative and U.S. Government Policy Seminar on Wednesday at noontime, when Mr. Grassley spoke. Senator Conrad’s wife, Lucy Calautti, attended and did indeed compliment the Iowa senator’s presentation.