The July 4th Knucklehead Marathon Part Nine

Our ninth winner today is Patrick Devedjian. He gets the award for the following.

A row has erupted in France after a senior leader of the governing UMP party was caught on camera calling a female political opponent a "bitch".

"This is no way to talk about a woman or anyone else," said President Nicolas Sarkozy. The condemnation was echoed by female Justice Minister Rachida Dati.

The politician, Patrick Devedjian, made the remark while congratulating a party colleague for ousting the woman MP.

He has since said he "regretted his inappropriate interjection".

Mr Devedjian added that he had called the woman, centrist former MP Anne-Marie Comparini, to apologise.

The insult was filmed by a television company in Lyon, in the aftermath of this month's general election.

Mr Devedjian is seen congratulating Ms Comparini's UMP opponent, and adding: "That bitch!" - "salope" in French.

The footage quickly found its way onto the internet.

In the day of the internet and You Tube, politicians have to be more careful than ever about what they say. Patrick Devedjian forgot both that and just plain politeness, and that is why he is today's ninth Knucklehead of the Day.

Linked to- Amboy Times, Bright & Early, Leaning Straight Up, Right Wing Nation,