That sexist insult, in full

Sigh. This is why I hate politics.

Meanwhile, Tory deputy leader Peter MacKay apologized yesterday to former NDP leader Alexa McDonough for telling her to "stick to your knitting" during a heated exchange on a radio show. The two Nova Scotia MPs were trading the usual partisan barbs yesterday when McDonough suggested a Conservative government would be hobbled by a persistent clash of egos between MacKay, Harper and former Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day. MacKay said McDonough was desperately trying to boost the fortunes of other NDP candidates. When McDonough said the NDP candidate in MacKay's riding didn't need her help, MacKay shot back: "We'll see what happens ... I think you better stick to your knitting and win your own riding." Later in the day, MacKay issued a statement saying the expression was a common Maritime turn of phrase often used by his grandmother. McDonough said she accepted the apology, but she insisted the phrase amounted to a sexist insult.

See also: MacKay sorry for knitting needling, MacKay apologizes for 'knitting' comment, etc. etc. So: is it or isn't it? Gosh I wonder...

stick to your knitting: If a person or company sticks to their knitting, they continue to do what they have always done instead of trying to do something they know very little about. He believes the key to a company's success is to stick to its knitting rather than trying to diversify.

That's from the Free Dictionary. Free. Doesn't cost anything. You could look it up. Unless you were a reporter for every one of our major news organizations, and couldn't be bothered. MORE: Unbelievable.

Harper played-down the gaffe.

"I think it was apparently a very heated exchange and I don't think Peter meant anything by it. He apologized right away."

He added that the big difference between the two candidates is that "Peter MacKay might actually be a part of a government on Monday."

Harper refused to be baited on whether the incident disqualified MacKay from a cabinet position. He has steadily refused to speculate on the composition of his possible cabinet until he has a mandate from voters.