The word is spreading quickly about U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, who did not know he was being taped when he started criticizing Republicans this week.
Schumer started talking on a conference call without knowing that reporters were listening. The conference calls are quite common in Washington, and reporters generally dial into an 800 number - and can immediately hear anyone talking on the line.
"I always use the word extreme,'' Schumer said, referring to the Tea Party and Republican budget cuts. "That is what the caucus instructed me to use this week.''
Several other senators, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, were on the line at the time.
