Kwame Kilpatrick Opens Up On Radio Show
DETROIT (WWJ) - Fifty pounds lighter due to what he says was the terrible prison food, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is again in the media spotlight.
Kilpatrick took a shot at Detroit's current mayor during his appearance on a nationally syndicated radio show, blaming too much media coverage of himself.
"Unfortunately Mayor Bing has a problem connecting with people for a couple of reasons. One, it's just hard for him to connect for various reasons and background and different things. But, then secondly, they're talking about the old mayor every week," said Kilpatrick, speaking to radio host Tom Joyner. "So, any strategy or program that he wants to move forward, it's incredibly hard for him to do."
"Fifteen or sixteen people getting shot over a weekend, that's not Kwame Kilpatrick's fault. But, if I can take responsibility for my failure, then some people need to take responsibility in the city and move the city forward. You can't keep pointing your fingers at Kwame Kilpatrick and move the city forward," Kilpatrick said.
Kilpatrick did make an admission of sorts, saying, about his affair, that he was "stupid as hell."
"My failure did cause the city so much pain and anguish and national attention that we didn't need at the time," he said.
The ex-Mayor said he has no hard feelings against the people of Detroit. "They've understood what I've been through. They've understood my apology. They've forgiven, a lot of those people, me," he said.
"In the city of Detroit -- on Dexter, on Seven Mile, on Six Mile, east side, west side -- I'm good. The people there understand what I've been through, they've understood my apology, they've forgiven," Kilpatrick said.
On a personal note, he says his relationship with his wife is better than ever.
"I am the biggest advocate right now for marriage in the world. And, also, the biggest advocate for watching what you text," said Kilpatrick.
As far as his mother, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Kilpatrick said she's better than he's ever seen her. He said she's been spending time with her grandchildren and she's happy to be out of Congress and is serving in different ways.
