Foe Apologizes for Claiming Abzug Backed Viet Cong
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Former Rep. Richard Ottinger today retracted his charge that Bella Abzug had lauded the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War and threw his support behind her congressional comeback effort.
Ottinger made the retraction at a news conference two weeks after Abzug narrowly won a Democratic primary to face Republican Rep. Joseph DioGuardi.
Ottinger, who retired as the district’s congressman in 1984, had backed former aide Oren Teicher in the four-way primary--accounting for his blasting Abzug in June during the campaign.
“I had no evidence Bella supported the Viet Cong,” said Ottinger. “I perhaps misspoke. I was trying to knock her down so my candidate could win.”
But he added, “Between Bella and Joe DioGuardi, the choice is clear. I was the one who misbehaved, and for that I apologize.”
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