MADISON, Wis. -- Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton refuted a new radio report allegation about why she suddenly dropped out of the governor's race.

She continued Tuesday to refuse to disclose her specific reasons for leaving the race, maintaining that they are personal and private.

In her first public statements about her sudden withdrawal from the race, Lawton showed emotion, confidence and defiance, calling new rumors "lies" and her decision a "wise" one.

"I would love to govern this state but this was the only wise decision available to me," Lawton told WISC-TV Tuesday in a phone interview while traveling to an Eau Claire appearance.

During her first public appearances since her announcement, the lieutenant governor continued to fuel speculation and rumor about why on Monday she suddenly dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Lawton told WISC-TV her reasons were "deeply personal," made with her family and based on a variety of factors.

Lawton told the Associated Press in an interview on Tuesday that she dropped out of the race on Monday after speaking with her husband and two adult children.

She denied that her fundraising was lagging and said that said she is in good health. Lawton said that she doesn't want to comment further on why she decided to drop out. She said she will not run for lieutenant governor again.

She also denied it had anything to do with the Obama administration allegedly backing Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a potential Democratic candidate.

"I was not pushed out. They (the Obama administration) did not call me; they did not ask me to leave. The governor nor did not call me; he did not ask me to leave. I made a deeply personal, complicated and disappointing but responsible decision," Lawton said.

She said she feels "good" about her decision, but Lawton also became angry and upset when asked about an allegation of a personal nature against her put on air Monday morning by a Green Bay radio talk show host.

Lawton, at a stop in La Crosse, said, "It's an outrageous lie. It becomes clear the vulnerability one invites just by running for office and serving in government, doesn't it? I am about to celebrate… 36 years," and at that point, Lawton started crying and asked the camera to stop rolling.

She then left the interview with a WKBT-TV in La Crosse visibly upset Tuesday morning.

Lawton told WISC-TV that giving up a shot at governor is a personal, private decision and that no other questions are "pertinent to the public."

"I don't think it needs to keep going until I put it to bed, because I'm being very clear about how complex this decision is and how deeply personal it is, and now it's time for the media and for the rest of the people to move on," Lawton said.

Lawton called the radio allegation "outrageous slander" and an "assault" against her character. She said she doesn't know if she will pursue legal action. She said the most important thing is that it has been removed from the Web site.

WTAQ radio talk show host Jerry Bader removed the report from the Web site Tuesday morning, and Lawton campaign advisor Ben Nuckles said Bader apologized to him.

Later Tuesday, Bader's blog Web site posted a statement. In it Bader said, "I have lost confidence in the sources that provided information yesterday regarding Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton. Therefore I cannot stand by the story that ran yesterday."

Peg Lautenschlager, a friend of Lawton and former attorney general, said she spoke to Lawton late Tuesday. Lautenschlager said the rumors are "ludicrous" and said that no one particular factor motivated Lawton to leave the race.

She was considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination after Doyle announced that he wouldn't run for another term during the summer. Shortly after Doyle's announcement in August, aides said that Lawton was planning to run for governor in 2010. Lawton had previously said she'd consider running if Doyle didn't seek a third term.

Lawton, 58, is married and has two children, and four grandchildren.

Two prominent Republicans, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann, are already in the race.