Senator Collins accepts apology over insult — then gets caught tossing her own insults

The debacle over an insult to Republican women by Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) should have been defused after he apologized to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), but it instead worsened when she was caught on a hot mic insulting him right back.

Farenthold told a radio audience Friday that Republicans lacked the courage to repeal Obamacare, and then blamed female Republicans from the Northeast in particular.

“If it was a guy from South Texas, I might ask him to step outside and settle this Aaron Burr-style,” he said, referring to the famous duel that resulted in the death of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.

After he apologized to Collins over the comments she accepted them graciously.

But unfortunately, that was completely undone by what she said in private, which was caught by a hot mic.

“Did you see the one who challenged me to a duel?” Collins said to Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.).

“I know. Trust me," he responded, "you know why he challenged you to a duel? Because you could beat the s**t out of him."

"With a stick!" she added, laughing. "What a fat guy. He's huge."

“He’s so unattractive, it’s unbelievable,” Collins said. “Did you see the picture of him in his pajamas next to this bunny, playboy bunny?”

The picture she mentioned to Reed was easily obtainable on social media after her gaffe was detected.

Collins later apologized to Farenthold or her comments when they were brought to her attention.

"Neither weapons nor inappropriate words are the right way to resolve legislative disputes," Collins said. "I received a handwritten apology from Rep. Farenthold late this morning. I accept his apology, and I offer him mine."