- FAST FACTS:
- The Flyer's Jackson Baker Gives Herenton an Exit Interview
- Herenton says he's in a different league than Congressman Cohen
- Cohen not engaging in verbal war of words
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(MEMPHIS July 1, 2009 8:24 PM) -- The Memphis Flyer's Jackson Baker landed an exclusive sit-down exit interview with Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton. Baker says he's learned to expect the unexpected after interviewing Herenton for some 20 years. He says Herenton always provides "bingo" moments.
"This was one of those occasions where there was bingo after bingo. He kept upping the ante, becoming more and more outspoken," Baker says.
Incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen was on the receiving end of Herenton's verbal jabs. "I've known Cohen for 30 years, and to be honest with you, he's an a*******. Anybody who knows Cohen knows he's an a******," Herenton told Baker.
"The Mayor seems to be willing to get him into a WWE kind of battle royal, no pun intended with the W.W.," Baker jokes.
But Congressman Cohen doesn't seem willing to enter this type of verbal sparring match. His spokesperson released a statement saying, "Congressman Cohen has been in the district all day doing his job and to the best of my knowledge has not seen the Flyer article."
"Cohen is trying very hard to be unflappable," says Baker.
Cohen, however, wasn't the only politician on the receiving end of Herenton's candor. Herenton talked about a conversation he had in 2007 with County Mayor A C Wharton. There was speculation at the time Wharton was considering a run against Herenton to become the Mayor of Memphis. Herenton says he told Wharton he was offended he would even "flirt" with the idea.
Baker asked Herenton what would have happened if Wharton ran for Memphis Mayor in 2007.
"It would have been real ugly, yeah because I would have described him," Herenton said.
"How?" Baker asked.
"I'm not going to tell you. I don't have to describe him. it didn't happen," Herenton responded.
Mayor Wharton declined WREG News Channel 3's request for an interview about Herenton's comments. Wharton has said he will be a candidate in the upcoming special mayoral election after Herenton's retirement.
To hear more of Herenton's interview with Jackson Baker, go to memphisflyer.com
