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Virginia Republicans Haven't Learned
Clinton's former top adviser on why it's time for Rep. Frank Wolf to retire.
Remember the “Macaca Moment” of August 2006? All Virginians recall the racist slur then-Senator George Allen used against one of Jim Webb’s campaign volunteers. We may have a new moment in which a Virginia Republican self-destructed. And once again it is caught on tape. Check this out, if you haven’t seen it yet:
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Status Quo) stood idly by as one of his congressional staffers whacked one of Democratic opponent Judy Feder’s campaign aides with a metal cane. It’s been 152 years since Rep. Preston Brooks of South Carolina beat Senator. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts with his cane on the Senate floor, but perhaps Rep. Wolf is so tied to the past that he has embraced the violent tactics of 19th-century pro-slavery fanatics.
Dare to ask Rep. Frank Wolf a question, and his paid congressional staff gives you a couple of lumps.
For the video, two young men working for Feder's campaign in the 10th District of Virginia went out to Winchester, Va., this past Friday. They were looking to get a straight answer from Wolf on his support for McCain’s health care tax. Okay, let’s face it: They were trying to get Wolf on tape endorsing McCain’s unpopular position on health care. It was not a “Do you still beat your wife?” question—it was a fair question on one of the biggest issues in the election.
They didn’t get answers—but they did get a beating. One of Wolf's staffers struck a member of the Feder campaign team with a metal cane, not once, but twice. You read that right—dare to ask Rep. Wolf a question, and his paid congressional staff gives you a couple of lumps. I’m sure Kim Jong Il would be proud.
One of the things I’ve liked about Frank Wolf is that he has always stood for human rights around the world. He has spoken out against the mistreatment of political dissidents in China, Egypt, Indonesia, and other countries. But I guess for Frank Wolf, human rights stops at the water’s edge. All of a sudden those pretty speeches about human rights go out the window, and the beatings begin.
What exactly is wrong with asking a powerful congressman a simple question? Watch the tape. See for yourself. Feder’s staffers were respectful—they repeatedly called Rep. Wolf “Congressman” and “Sir.” But to no avail.
Wolf's campaign issued the standard politician's non-apologetic apology. They apologized for “poor judgment,” then essentially retracted the apology by claiming Wolf's aide was provoked.
If there was any doubt that Frank Wolf is out of touch, the proof is in that video.
When a self-proclaimed champion of human rights tolerates the beating of his political opponents, you know it’s time to retire.
Perhaps the incident—which has drawn tens of thousands of YouTube viewers—will raise some money for Feder. Apparently she has a new campaign expense: body armor for her staff.
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Wow... he just lost my vote. Unless there's something I'm missing here, I don't see how we can tolerating that hint of true character as a representative of the people. Kick him to the curb outside the house!
What? You can't hit people with canes anymore? Who sent the memo?
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! WACK!
It's all good -- just for a moment that aide thought he was in Singapore and caning the accepted way of dealing with "troublemakers." Virginia, Singapore -- easy to confuse.
The Wolf staffer who bopped Feder's guys is an 83-year old man. Not a valid excuse, but it bears mentioning. It's also interesting that Judy Feder is running a caustic and desperate campaign, much like McCain/Palin. The home page of Feder's website says nothing about her stand on the issues. Rather, it's all about accusing Wolf. Of course I don't know for sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if Feder's guys were harassing Wolf on behalf of their desperate candidate. I'm a registered Republican. I'm voting for Obama and Warner, and I'll be voting for Frank Wolf. I so hope that Feder is not elected on their coat tails. If that happens, Northern Virginia will greatly suffer for it.
I know there are plenty of other Americans like me who are DAMN tired of a Congress that doesn't answer to its constiuents and a president who doesn't answer to Congress. It is past time to break up the RNC/DNC monopoly and vote ALL the rascals out.
Any "Normal" person would be in jail charged with felony assault with a weapon.
How could Rep. Frank Wolf condone such atrocious behavior?
is it possible that his aide may have also aided Ashley Todd ( maybe he also hit her with a cane...) in that fake attack incident? Hmmm....maybe this aide should work for the Czech Prime Minister.
Wow. How is it that this video has not received the full treatment from MSNBC. It might be worthy of a Olberman "Special Comment" as well as an award for
"Worst Person....in the Worllllllllld". I suppose in some strange way it summarizes the current state of partisan politics, such as it is. (we get what we deserve)
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PS....Dear Paul,
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I thought I would take this moment to congratulate you and your party on your victory. As a Republican and a proud american I can only wish you well. To be honest, we blew it in a number of ways. By the way, thanks for adroitly reminding us of that plethora of dunderbrained miscalculations. And thanks for reminding us daily on CNN. The gleam in your eye as we drown in political quick sand reminds me of a cat with feathers wedged between a devilish grin. YOU WON. Your guy, soon-to-be-President-elect Obama, will win with room to spare. I guess we can both admit some sense of disappointment since I worked for Romney while you touted Hillary. I suppose we will both be back in 2.5 years playing chess again with policy and sound bites. You and I both know that Mitt would have given you a better race...and, of course, Hillary deserved to be the nominee. Anyway, my hat is off to you and Axelrod and all the others. I like to think I am a graceful loser, so I will give you this. Obama(you guys)waged a brilliant campaign. Virtually no mistakes. Not bad for a first timer who has yet to fill a full term in the senate. Impressive to say the least. But, backhanded compliments aside, our new President Obama will immediately begin the healing process caused by the Bush Doctrine. That is no small feat. Make sure to get me seats at the inaugural if you can spare the clout. (-:
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David Elton
CEO, Elton Research International, LLP
Lake Oswego, Oregon
~and thanks for not reminding me about Packwood...again~ (-:
Am I being naive, but if I hit someone with a cane in public especially if it was caught on tape, I would be sued. But then we the people don't seem to care that our president burned people to death in an Abu Ghraib crematorium, so I guess anything goes. Pelosi certainly doesn't care.
Thank you.
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