Robert Foster: A governor candidate in Mississippi refuses an interview with a reporter unless she is accompanied by a man

A Republican candidate for Governor of Mississippi refused to be interviewed by a reporter unless she takes a colleague. Mississippi Today reporter, Larrison Campbell, said she had asked to accompany candidate Robert Foster during a 15-hour campaign "before the campaign" before the August 6 primary, but that she had been refused because she was a woman.

Colton Robison, director of Foster's campaign, said that she could not be alone in a car with Foster, believing that the candidate's optics with a woman, even a journalist at work, could be used in a campaign of discredit to insinuate an extramarital affair. "

Robison apparently told him that the campaign "could not take the risk" so close to primary school. They repeatedly told him that they feared a smear campaign against Foster.

Before making our decision, my wife and I are committed to the "Billy Graham Rule", which is to avoid any situation that may lead to suspicion or compromise of our marriage. I am sorry that Ms. Campbell does not share these views, but my decision was made out of respect for my wife. https://t.co/5tjH2x2g65

– Robert Foster (@ RobertFoster4MS) July 10, 2019

Foster confirmed his decision with a tweet Tuesday night. "Before we make our decision, our wife and I are committed to" Billy Graham's rule, "which is to avoid any situation that might raise suspicion or compromise of our marriage," he tweeted.

It's the same "rule" brought to light by Vice President Mike Pence, who said he would not eat alone with a woman who is not his wife.

"In our case, it was a journalist who asked to ride a bike, and my campaign manager went there and came sometimes … There will be a lot of possibilities for an embarrassing situation that I did not want to put myself in. … we just wanted to keep things professional, "Foster said in a radio interview with Paul Gallo, SuperTalk Mississippi Radio Host.

Campbell stated that she and her editor decided that the request was "sexist and useless in terms of resources", given her experience in political reporting. She told the campaign that she would be participating alone, but they would not change, she said.

"I would like it not to be like that," Robison told Campbell. "Unfortunately, it's the game we're playing right now."

According to the Associated Press, Mr. Foster is a state legislator for the first time and has amassed far less money than the other two Republicans in search of the governorship appointment, Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves and former Mississippi Supreme Court President Bill Waller Jr.