Shocking Audio: Rep. Fred Clark's Disturbing Comments about Female Constituent

[Madison] - Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo), running in a recall election against Senator Luther Olsen, was caught on tape last week saying he would like to "smack around" a woman in his district.

The comment was recorded on the home answering machine of Sue and John Stapelman of Baraboo.  Clark phoned the family while making campaign calls, and had a short, curt conversation with Sue Stapelman.  Stapelman then hung up the phone, but her answering machine was still rolling, and caught Clark saying, "I feel like calling her back and smacking her around."

John Hogan, director of the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, said "This disturbing and inappropriate comment gives us an unfortunate glimpse of what Representative Clark is like when he thinks no one is listening.  Domestic violence is a devastating problem in our state , and abuse is on the rise. To be able to so freely threaten violence against a woman, even in jest, shows a tremendous lack of character.”

“Coupled with his record of killing jobs and increasing spending, the mounting evidence of Fred Clark’s recklessness and lack of common sense will be flatly rejected by voters at the polls this summer.”

Transcription of call from Fred Clark:

[Answering machine picks up the call, then Sue Stapelman picks up phone]
SS: “Yes”
FC: “Hi, this, uh, Ms. Stapelton?"
SS: “Yes it is.”
FC: “Hi, this is Representative Fred Clark.”
SS: “Ok.”
FC: “Yes, I just want to give you and John a call again tonight.  You may know I’m running against Luther Olsen here in the recall election in the 14th Senate District.”
SS: “Yeah, isn’t that a crime.” [hangs up]
[Answering machine still recording]
FC: “Ok.  I feel like calling her back and smacking her around.”