Hamden Mayor Apologizes For Controversial ‘Retweet’

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Mayor Curt Balzano Leng is apologizing for, and clarifying, a controversial tweet he retweeted from legendary former game show host Chuck Woolery, who has become a conservative political activist. He currently co-hosts a podcast titled “Blunt Force Truth” with Mark Young.

Blunt Force Truth is a “podcast for thoughtful, deep-thinking people who want more than just the sound bites; they want the Blunt Force Truth,” according to its website. The tweet Leng “liked” was from July 16, in which Woolery wrote: “Obama, ‘There is not a white America, Black America, Asian America, there is only Americans.’ Then he was elected and divided everyone by the color of their skin and ideology. If you don’t know this, you’re not paying attention,” according to the New Haven Register.

Leng posted a lengthy statement on social media addressing his “retweet.” Read the full post below:

A Mistake I Made, Learning a Former Game Show Host Is Now an Ultra-Right Winger & Addressing the Matter Immediately (Please Share)

A local political opponent posted a statement earlier tonight about a “retweet”, which I mistakenly retweeted/posted from former Game Show Host Chuck Woolery, of “Love Connection”, “Scrabble” and “The Dating Game”.

I made an obvious mistake with this retweet, one I take responsibility for and want to clarify here. I had only read the first sentence(s) and originally thought the message was about equality. Boy was I wrong. I have since gone back and reread the entire message and am embarrassed that I didn’t see all of it and am certainly sorry I pressed “retweet”- I certainly wouldn’t have associated myself with anything remotely like it, in ANY WAY. I should have more carefully reviewed the entire post and would have if I had known Chuck had gone from harmless game show host to spewer of hate. In fact, I would have denounced it and/or called the “Love Connection Guru” out.

This is of course a non-issue in this Hamden campaign, or at all for that matter, it was a clear error. However it was used in a way planned and designed to distract our residents and paint me as something I am not, not have ever been. This style of politics is shameful.

Anyone who knows me or has followed my very active social media knows who I am, what I stand for and against, what I speak of and support and how strongly I feel about things such as equality; protecting people and being there for people who need help is the central reason I am in public service.

Implying anything otherwise about me is wrong, deeply offensive and done without doing any homework. Or, intentionally done to mislead.

Social Media is an effective tool to help communicate with thousands and thousands of people. It can also allow some folks to attack you for making technical errors, pushing a button too quickly or clicking the wrong button from time to time, at odds with hundreds of posts written.

President Barack Obama was the most admirable President of my lifetime, one of the greatest in record and example. My support of him is well known, well “tweeted” and well documented. I proudly donated to both his primary and general election campaigns in 2008, his re-election efforts in 2012 and have also contributed to Organizing for America (OFA).

And — a message to Chuck Woolery - why don’t you stick to trying to make “Love Connections”, you made more sense and seemed far less hate-filled then.

I invite all residents to please call or message me with any questions or comments on this matter or any issue - always welcome and appreciated.

Best regards and thank you for reading,

Curt