Copyright 2008 Craig Sjodin / ABC
Who does he think DeAnna should choose?
Ousted "The Bachelorette" suitor Graham Bunn is a relationship realist. Talking to reporters following his Monday night ousting from the ABC matchmaking show, he says that although he and DeAnna Pappas shared a "special connection," he is done associating with her, even casually.
"I don't believe that we were right for each other," he says, adding later: "I just don't think that it would ever be healthy for she and I to be friends."
All or nothing: Graham explains that his inability to know with total conviction whether or not he could love DeAnna likely led to his downfall on the show. One thing he did know, for sure, was that he didn't want to mislead the bachelorette by sugar-coating his wishy-washy feelings about a committed relationship with her.
"I don't think it was a good fit for marriage," he says. "She wanted me to get to a place that I couldn't get to in the time-frame [we were given]."
So, with only three suitors left -- Jason, Jeremy and Jesse -- does Graham agree with fellow oustee Twilley's assessment that Jesse is the right choice for DeAnna?
"I believe Jason and Jeremy would make better partners to spend the rest of her life with," he says, adding to those surprised by Twilley's pick that no, Jesse's finer qualities were not in fact left on the cutting room floor: "I don't think you're missing anything in the [the show's] edit of Jesse. I think you might be missing something of the edit of DeAnna."
"I feel, personally, that Jason offers her the best well-rounded choice and someone that can fully fulfill, you know, all her needs and wants in life."
Graham admits that leaving the show was difficult for both him and DeAnna, but he believes that his brutal honesty about his feelings for her will guarantee them both a happier future, apart. He wishes her the best, though, regardless of who she winds up with.
"She is a wonderful person and, you know, you could do worse with me," he says. "I'm not the devil."