Steve Scalise: 'I detest any kind of hate group

The Times-Picayune reports:

Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise said he doesn't support "any of the things I read about" a white supremacist group that organized an event at which Scalise appeared in 2002.

In an exclusive interview Monday with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune about the growing controversy over his appearance at the Metairie event, Scalise said it is ridiculous to suggest he was involved with the group, which was created by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.

"I didn't know who all of these groups were and I detest any kind of hate group. For anyone to suggest that I was involved with a group like that is insulting and ludicrous," Scalise said.

The congressman -- who was a state representative 12 years ago -- said he doesn't remember speaking at the event, but that he talked to several civic groups and other organizations throughout the state about his opposition to the Stelly tax plan that spring.

It's not like Steve Scalise is Robert Byrd or something.