Teresa Heinz Kerry continued to deny Tuesday morning that she uttered the word "un-American" during a pre-convention speech Sunday night - even though her remarks were captured on tape.
"I really wanted him to back off, back off," Heinz Kerry told NBC "Today" show host Katie Couric, referring to a reporter who had asked about the word.
Heinz Kerry responded by claiming that the misquote involved more than one word, telling Couric: "I heard him say two words that I didn't say and I saw the potential of misrepresentation. And so I defended myself."
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The "Today" show host proceeded to quote the would-be first lady's remarks verbatim, noting that she used the phrase "creeping un-Pennsylvanian and creeping un-American traits" in her speech.
"And that's very different from un-American activities," Heinz Kerry shot back.
A transcript of Sunday night's exchange between the billionaire ketchup heiress and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Colin McNickle shows that while he first asked about the phrase "un-American activity," he then rephrased the question and asked simply about the word "un-American."
MCNICKLE: Un-American activity? You mentioned un-American?
HEINZ KERRY: No, I didn't say that.
MCNICKLE: What did you mean?
HEINZ KERRY: I didn't say that. [Walks away]
HEINZ KERRY: [Returns] You said something I didn't say. Now shove it!
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2004 Elections
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