JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Former Education Secretary Bill Bennett's provocative radio comments have stirred up controversy that is not likely to go away soon.

Bennett, speaking on his radio show, "Morning In America," told a caller, "But I do know that it's true if you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down."

Now, critics and supporters of Bennett have different views on how to approach the situation.

"You have to say, 'I'm sorry' and you have to mean it," Jacksonville Rep. Corrine Brown said.

Brown is no stranger to making off-the-cuff remarks that result in controversy.

In February 2004, Brown was criticized for calling U.S. policy pertaining to Haiti as "racist." Her outburst came during a closed briefing on the Haiti crisis in Washington. Comments attributed to Brown included calling Assistant Secretary of State Roger Noriega a racist, and representatives of the administration as "a bunch of white men."

Noriega, who is a Mexican-American, told Brown he was offended. Brown responded by saying, "You all look alike to me." Brown later apologized for her remark.

She said an apology should come from Bennett for what she called "insensitive comments." Still, she said she could relate to being quoted out of context, as Bennett claims he was, and said that it's not always easy to be in the public eye.

"Sometimes they take what I say and go a different place with it," Brown said. "You know, when you're out here (in Washington), you just have to be careful."

But outspoken and often-controversial talk show host Neal Boortz is standing by Bennett, who he's known for many years. Boortz told Channel 4's Nancy Rubin by telephone that if Bennett or he didn't bring up difficult subjects, perhaps no one ever would.

"As a radio talk show host, I can say things no one else will because they are worried about being ostracized socially or on the job," Boortz said. "I don't avoid controversy. My job is to stir it up."

Boortz said he's angry Bennett's comments have been cut short in many television and radio airings and believes that if the full comments were heard, Bennett's clarification would negate any criticism.

Still, Boortz said watching Bennett come under fire for his remarks reminds him of the risks of delivering live, unscripted views.

"Twenty-twenty hindsight is a beautiful thing, but on live radio, live TV during a live broadcast, you don't have that luxury," Boortz said.

Bobbi Reid Doggett, professor of public relations at the University of North Florida, agrees. Doggett, who counseled clients in crisis management during her 20-year career in public relations, said that live, unscripted material doesn't exempt hosts from being sensitive.

"When you make disparaging remarks about race or gender, then you open yourself up to being viewed as a less-than-virtuous person, human being," Doggett said.

Doggett thinks Bennett should apologize, but said even that may not be enough.

"I think he will live and die with this quote," Doggett said. "I think this quote will be with him until the day he leaves this earth."

Bennett has not issued an apology, despite calls for one from government and NAACP officials. He said those who took his comments out of context are the ones who should apologize.

"Factually, his statement is correct," Boortz said. "If someone is offended by that, I think that is their problem. … I think he ought to stand fast. At the most say, 'I could've chose my words more carefully, but I do stand by what I say.'"