DICK HARPOOTLIAN

“This guy is a little too light in the loafers to fill Strom Thurmond's shoes," read a press release by then-S.C. Democratic Party chairman Dick Harpootlian, now a leader of the Barack Obama campaign. The release assailed Lindsey Graham, who had just announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Strom Thurmond.
"Light in the loafers" is a well-known anti-gay slur, but Harpootlian said that is not how it was intended. He reportedly even told one political columnist he did not know the phrase was used to describe homosexual people.
One could be easily forgiven for being skeptical of Harpootlian’s denial. For instance, Harpootlian also reportedly used the slur in a number speeches.
And according to the March 12, 2001 edition of the Southern Political Report: “At a Democratic luncheon last year, Harpootlian said, ‘Congressman Lindsey Graham criticized President Clinton for 'having sex with a woman in the Oval office.' Now, I don't know about you but I can't tell what part he objected to -- having sex with a young woman or having sex in the Oval office?’”
Graham, who is unmarried, said Harpootlian’s remarks amounted to slander. Republicans and non-Republicans alike called it an example of the lowest form of mudslinging.