Standing by their man

Sen. Dianne Feinstein lashed out at a television reporter who dared to raise a question over Sen. Hillary Clinton's endorsement from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his recently exposed marital infidelity.

The question about Villaraigosa came as Feinstein officially endorsed Clinton for president. Clinton, asked in a telephone press conference how she feels about mayor’s endorsement given his acknowledged extra-marital activity with Telemundo reporter Mirthala Salinas, almost didn’t get the chance to respond.

“This is Dianne Feinstein,’’ California’s senior senator piped in.``I’m surprised at your for that question. My goodness. Hillary is running for president of the United States. She doesn’t need to get
into this.’’

When the reporter did not back down, Clinton offered her own perspective _ not as a the cheated-upon wife she has been, but ratheras the politician she is.

Noting she has spoken with Villaraigosa since the affair become public, Clinton said, `I think his work on behalf of the many issues that I care about is very significant, and I will continue to welcome his support.”

--From Lisa Friedman