Kelly Alienating Some Nationalists In East Deschire

Outspoken lieutenant governor calls rural Nationalists "backward hicks" and "losers"

DEROSA, EDS--East Deschire Governor Lynn DeMont (NAT) is playing damage control after his lieutenant governor, Tatem Kelly (NAT), became involved in a shouting match Friday at a party meeting with local Nationalist party officials.

The incident happened in the small town of Belletown in the southwest corner of the state. Kelly was attending a rally and fundraiser for local NAT candidates. However, during a speech the lieutenant governor was making, some audience members took offense to Kelly's comments.

"It was very condescending. She started talking about how she's from the big city and we're just little country folks and we don't know anything," Ethel Minster, a local NAT precinct worker told the Derosa Tribune newspaper. "That's when me and a couple others raised our hands and asked her why she was being so rude."

It was then that the lieutenant governor, who has a history of controversy, reportedly engaged in an argument with the aforementioned audience members, calling them "backward hicks" and "losers."

"I was appalled," said Belletown City Councilwoman Beth Barry, who is also a Nationalist. "I couldn't believe that our state's second-highest-ranking official was here calling my constituents 'losers' and 'hicks.' I just can't believe someone would have the nerve to say something like that."

According to the event's organizers, the lieutenant governor abruptedly ended her speech, and left the luncheon moments later. The Derosa Tribune reported that the paper was "unable to find anyone who was in attendance at the luncheon that said the lieutenant governor apologized."

Tribune writer Rob Miller wrote in Saturday's edition that "no one we interviewed remembered Ms. Kelly apologizing for her outburst."

The lieutenant governor's office has also refused comment. However, Saturday, Governor Lynn DeMont, who was attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new soccer field and athletic facility in Christenkerr, publicly repudiated Kelly's comments and apologized.

"I have to say that hearing what happened is a shock, and a huge disappointment. What Tatem said was more than inappropriate. It was hurtful and inexcusable," DeMont said. "I'd just like to say sorry for her comments, and I'd like to personally apologize to those community members in Belletown for her behavior."

Back in Belletown, locals appreciate DeMont's apology. However, most say it would be nice for Kelly to apologize personally.

"Ultimately, he can't take responsibility for what she did. And I think most people would like to hear from the lieutenant governor herself," Councilwoman Barry told GNN.

Friday's incident is not the first for the lieutenant governor. Back in July, Ms. Kelly walked out of an interview with Christenkerr's Daily Telegraph newspaper after the reporter challenged her view on teen contraceptive use.

UPDATE: On Saturday morning, the lieutenant governor's office announced Tatem Kelly will be holding a press conference Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the south wing of the capitol building in Derosa. GNN will have live coverage.