Schaefer's words stir criticism: Remarks on immigrants, women draw comparison to Archie Bunker.

Byline: Michael Dresser

Jul. 6--Comptroller William Donald Schaefer rekindled controversy over his views on immigrants and his behavior toward women yesterday as he denounced spending to teach English as a second language and addressed a reporter who questioned him as a "sweet little girl." The comptroller, who is seeking re-election, also ruled out debating his opponents in the Democratic primary. Of one of them, Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens, the former governor said he "wouldn't debate her on how to bake a chocolate cake." Schaefer's comments during and after a meeting of the state Board of Public Works brought denunciations from advocates for immigrants and women's rights as well as from political opponents. "As a Democrat I'm embarrassed by him. As a human being I'm embarrassed by him. He needs to step down now," said Sen. Sharon M. Grosfeld, a Montgomery County Democrat, after being told of his remarks about a Sun reporter and Owens. …