Paul Campaign Calls on Newt Gingrich to Apologize for His Staff Assault on Paul Supporter

[Tyler_Durden]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ron-paul-campaign-calls-newt-212700176.html


LAKE JACKSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign is requesting an apology and decisive action from Congressman Newt Gingrich and his campaign for abuse the latter organization perpetrated against a Ron Paul supporter.

The incident occurred in the Orlando suburb of Windermere, Florida and involved 29-year-old Ron Paul supporter Eddie Dillard, who was injured during an exchange with the Gingrich campaign.

Mr. Dillard arrived at his polling site, the Windermere Baptist Church, and noticed a Gingrich supporter holding a Gingrich sign, so to reciprocate he returned to the scene with a Ron Paul sign. The area he chose was public space but it had been identified by the Gingrich campaign as the very place where Gingrich would be visiting. As the Gingrich staff moved in, members of the security detail and/or other staff warned Mr. Dillard, telling him to exit from the public space. When Mr. Dillard exercised his right of free expression by remaining there, simply holding the sign, Gingrich’s campaign team escalated the situation and, noticing Mr. Dillard was wearing flip-flops, dug their heels in his foot and reportedly directed each other to step on Mr. Dillard’s feet. Mr. Dillard, to be sure, was injured, harassed, and inconvenienced.

Reporters from Yahoo! News were on the scene and covered the story here.

In response to the incident, the Ron Paul Presidential campaign released the following statement. Below find comments from National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton:

“They say the culture of an organization is a reflection of its top executive and today’s deplorable behavior against Ron Paul supporter Eddie Dillard in Florida reflects very poorly on Congressman Gingrich.

“I call on Congressman Gingrich to publicly apologize to Mr. Dillard.

“In addition, we ask that those Gingrich campaign staff directly involved in the episode be immediately terminated.

“There is simply no excuse for the type of violent, boorish and abusive behavior demonstrated by Mr. Gingrich's campaign. We hope Mr. Gingrich understands this and takes the actions we recommend."

[sailingaway]

Woot!

That's our campaign!

I don't know that Gingrich should apologize,though. He didn't do it. And he should fire the guard but he's likely local and not going to be hired again anyhow.

Still, it's nice for them to speak up for grass roots.

[PaleoPaul]

Watch the Newt Campaign bring up the snowball incident from Paul supporters in 2008. Just you wait.

[pauliticalfan]

Apologize Congressman Gingrich!

[bluesc]

Congressman Newt Gingrich
Congressman Newt Gingrich
Congressman Newt Gingrich

:D

[Varin]

jesus relax

[AhuwaleKaNaneHuna]

They were just showing a picture of Newt on CNN in the back ground with the guy who had the Paul sign that got stepped on. It was hilarious- so giant behind Newts head. lol

[Cody1]

HAHAHAHA

[sailingaway]

Watch the Newt Campaign bring up the snowball incident from Paul supporters in 2008. Just you wait.

Nobody threw a snow ball. there was a DISCUSSION of HYPOTHETICAL snowballs, is all.

[PaleoPaul]

I'm talking about the one with Sean Hannity.

[phill4paul]

Get 'em.:cool:

[sailingaway]

I'm talking about the one with Sean Hannity.

so was I. Go watch the tape.

[phill4paul]

Watch the Newt Campaign bring up the snowball incident from Paul supporters in 2008. Just you wait.

Sure. But there is a big difference between the two incidents.

[Edward]

Will anyone be surprised if this gets no attention or response? The MSM fails to put forth an ounce of effort to investigate the Huntsman false flag video before reporting on it and calling for Ron to apologize; this is a story based in fact that will get no MSM coverage.

[IndianaPolitico]

Good call. Gets us in the news.

[Tyler_Durden]

Drudged it

[affa]

Watch the Newt Campaign bring up the snowball incident from Paul supporters in 2008. Just you wait.

Four things:
1) There is a difference between a couple snowballs and crushing someone's feet.
2) There is a difference between actions committed by random 'supporters' versus campaign staff in Gingrich's presence.
3) There is a difference between a reporter and a campaign.
4) The only person that seems to be bringing this up... is you.

[fisharmor]

Nobody threw a snow ball. there was a DISCUSSION of HYPOTHETICAL snowballs, is all.

And even if there was, RP didn't pay them to throw snowballs, and he wasn't standing right there at the time.

[Lafayette]

Ron Paul cannot be responsible for what his supporters do, throwing snowballs at Hannity is hardly assault (unless they were filled with rocks) though he can cry about getting snow on his 10,000 suit all he wants.

These goon are employed by Gingrich and though i haven't seen pics of the mans foot, it was assault. The "step on his toes" statement leaves no doubt they meant to do this man harm.

[limequat]

Put this in perspective...

Imagine if Jesse Benton did this in plain view of an MSNBC reporter...called on the RP Campaign staffers to physically assault a Grinch supporter. The media would be OFF THE HOOK. Heads would roll. RP would be asked to pack it in. Lawsuits.

This is what we are owed.

[musicmax]

>> Congressman Gingrich

Now Santorum will accuse us of stealing his line.

[Guitarzan]

Turn on Fox...Cavuto's about to do a story on this.

[ropo]

Congressman Gingrich is the correct ettiquette, he retains that title, there is only one Speaker so he should not be refferred to as Speaker Gingrich

[Cody1]

Turn on Fox...Cavuto's about to do a story on this.


Thanks

[FreedomFox]

I'm glad they're asking for an apology, because that sort of action is just completely out of line. That kind of behavior from his staff is certainly not fit for someone running for the Presidency...

[PaleoPaul]

4) The only person that seems to be bringing this up... is you.
I'm not bringing it up like I want it to happen. I'm just making a prediction. I mean, Newt Gingrich DOES have a tendency to blame others for his own wrongdoings (examples include Romney, the media, etc.), or to make irrelevant comparisons (example, "My Dad served in Korea and Vietnam, so I know what war feels like."). So, I wouldn't put it past him to blame someone else for this, or make an irrelevant comparison to weasel his way out of something.

[alucard13mmfmj]

bullying and getting physical with opponent's supporters... reminds me of other oppressive regimes.

[Immortal Technique]

cavuto gets the story completely wrong

[Beorn]

Ugh.

Cavuto didn't get all the facts and said it was a Gingrich supporter not a Gingrich staffer.

[brenton]

Nobody threw a snow ball. there was a DISCUSSION of HYPOTHETICAL snowballs, is all.

to be honest, there were snowballs thrown. i was there. not throwing them myself, but i did walk behind the crowd doing it for a while because i found it amusing.

[PaleoPaul]

Ugh.

Cavuto didn't get all the facts and said it was a Gingrich supporter not a Gingrich staffer.
Either way, it doesn't make Gingrich look good.

[phill4paul]

cavuto gets the story completely wrong

Not surprised. Did he say the Paul supporter started beating Gingrich in the head with the sign?

[qh4dotcom]

Is Eddie going to press charges?

[vechorik]

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320x320/403581_345408942148024_100000367648716_1133742_185 5964606_n.jpgReason article had this photo I thought was cool:

http://media.reason.com/mc/arosen/0bf6cd52ba2c745026c6a84fdf9ce466.jpg?h=300&w=300

[blabam]

Is Eddie going to press charges?

He F'n should.

[Guitarzan]

Well Paul has complained in the past for being held accountable for his supporters' actions. Hat for it to look like Paul has a double standard.

Paul complains about being held accountable for his supporters' actions. But this wasn't a Gingrich supporter...it was his security detail.

[randomname]

Turn on Fox...Cavuto's about to do a story on this.

Fox Business?

Fox News has these fools from The Five on

[affa]

Fox Business?

Fox News has these fools from The Five on

if it's positive press for Paul, the odds are, it's FB not FN.

[Guitarzan]

Fox Business?

Fox News has these fools from The Five on


Sorry...it's over now. Cavuto just ended up making a couple of comments on it. He got the story wrong and said that it was Gingrich supporters that stepped on a Paul supporters feet, when in fact it was Gingrich's security that did it. Therefore, he ended up making Paul out to be a little overzealous on the matter.

[Beorn]

Paul complains about being held accountable for his supporters' actions. But this wasn't a Gingrich supporter...it was his security detail.

Yes, I know. That's why I was complaining about the way Cavuto (though really his producer's fault probably) misrepresented what happened.

[pauliticalfan]

They posted a picture of a foot on Twitter. Eww.

[Kords21]

It wasn't a Newt supporter, it was Newt's security detail. Big diffence.

[sailingaway]

Yeah, I've read more accounts since I brushed it off earlier, apparently a Gingrich aide also told people to step on the guy's toes -- I didn't realize he was wearing flip flops.

[Tonewah]

They did this in Germany and Italy, didn't they? Blackshirts/Brownshirts?

[trey4sports]

Yes, I know. That's why I was complaining about the way Cavuto (though really his producer's fault probably) misrepresented what happened.



lol, irony on top of irony.

[seapilot]

They interview Ron Paul and Huntsman over a twitter that a RP staffer did and made a big deal out of it. This should be headline news as that guy was physically assaulted by a paid Gingrich staffer.

[Guitarzan]

Yeah, I've read more accounts since I brushed it off earlier, apparently a Gingrich aide also told people to step on the guy's toes -- I didn't realize he was wearing flip flops.

Everyone wears flip flops in FL.

[musicmax]

Congressman Gingrich is the correct ettiquette, he retains that title, there is only one Speaker so he should not be refferred to as Speaker Gingrich

Actually the proper honorifics for the four candidates are Mr. Gingrich, Mr. Romney, Senator Santorum and Congressman Paul.

"There are some positions of which former office holders continue to be addressed with an honorific of their former position: senators, ambassadors, and generals, for example. But there's only one Secretary of State at a time, and only the current office holder is addressed using the forms of address due the office. Using the forms of address with a former position is extending the courtesies of the office, which they might find flattering, but it is not respectful the current office holder."

http://www.formsofaddress.info/former.html

[qh4dotcom]

It wasn't a Newt supporter, it was Newt's security detail. Big diffence.

I guess it's both...unless the security guy did not personally vote for Newt

[phill4paul]

It will not recieve any coverage until after the polls have closed and then it will be spun and forgotten by Thursday.

[dannno]

http://i41.tinypic.com/zjtc93.jpg

[unknown]

About f*cking time we start turning the tables. We're expected to apologize and take ownership if some jagoff makes a youtube video let alone if our security were to advocate an assault.

[JK/SEA]

Everyone wears flip flops in FL.

not true. ask dillard.

[Mark37snj]

I'm talking about the one with Sean Hannity.

He is not human, so it would be a violent act against a dumb animal. Someone call PITA.

[liveandletlive]

the campaign got ya back:D

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

If you didn't know the Corporate-whores before, you do now. Just wait and see the silence or perception bias they give this.

[sailingaway]

if you scroll down in here there's a picture and caption:
http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/31/10279988-republicans-go-to-the-polls-in-florida-primary

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-120131-florida-primary-jm-03.photoblog900.jpg
Security guards for Republican presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich push Ron Paul supporter Eddie Dillard of Orlando away from Gingrich as he campaigns on primary day outside a polling place at First Baptist Church of Windermere on Jan. 31 in Orlando, Florida. Dillard had been at the polling place all morning when Gingrich stood in front of him to pose for photographs. Gingrich supporters then began shoving Dillard and stepping on his feet when security came over and pushed him back. Polls show Gingrich's fellow candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, with a double digit lead going into the Florida primary.

[sailingaway]

You know, I keep seeing stories painting the one Ron Paul supporter in the crowd with a revolution tattoo or hair cut as the norm for us, but we never, ever have this, that I've seen:

http://static.reuters.com/resources/media/global/assets/images/20120131/20120131_71390959.jpg

as showed up at a Romney rally.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/31/us-usa-campaign-nevada-idUSTRE80U14B20120131

[Immortal Technique]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGI0qc88f5U

[PaleoPaul]

Just 1000 more votes and we've reached our 2008 results!

Come on, Dr. Paul! Reach at least 100K votes!

[PaleoPaul]

Yay, we've just increased from our 2008 results! :D

[opinionatedfool]

Watch the Newt Campaign bring up the snowball incident from Paul supporters in 2008. Just you wait.

A Paul supporter is not a Paul staff member.

[Barrex]

Any live feed of this going on?

[GeorgiaAvenger]

Nice

Notice it is Congressman, not Speaker

[Cleaner44]

If one of Newt's goons assualted me, he would be dealing with a crushed larynx.

[JK/SEA]

If one of Newt's goons assualted me, he would be dealing with a crushed larynx.

Yeah, thats my problem too. I'm not really afraid of anything, but then i'm 5'11'' 250 lbs and have arms bigger than most, so people have a tendency to leave me alone anyways....i notice Dillard looks like a real nice guy and not all that big.

[affa]

If one of Newt's goons assualted me, he would be dealing with a crushed larynx.

I am quite happy the RP supporter was quiet and peaceful throughout and didn't kill anyone for getting his toes stepped on. I much prefer 'Gingrich campaign assaults Paul supporter' headlines over 'Paul Supporter murders member of Gingrich campaign in Broad Daylight' headlines.

[Cody1]

Nice

Notice it is Congressman, not Speaker

Yeah I saw that, not sure what it meant though. Is it because old Newty was removed from his role as speaker?

[eddiedillard]

Thanks everyone

[Tyler_Durden]

Thanks everyone

Sue, press charges, try to have local media interview you!!

[Mark37snj]

If one of Newt's goons assualted me, he would be dealing with a crushed larynx.

+ Rep for BOSSness

[kylejack]

Wish we had video. Won't they just deny it even happened that way?

[tuggy24g]

All I know if that we get harassed when someone tweeted "huntsman we found your 2 votes" or something like that. Even those Ron Paul did not tweet it he got harassed by the comment made. What about the video that Huntsman made and not Ron Paul. Ron Paul got harassed by the comment. The media said that it was under Ron Paul's name so he is part of the incident even if he did not do it. That Ron Paul has to keep a watchful eye on his Volunteers. So Newt should apologies since this was part of his organization and from what I remember he was in the area and did nothing to stop it. So if you do something wrong you need to step up and be a man about it. Apologize and make it right. Newt needs to take responsibility for his Volunteers since Ron Paul did.

[eduardo89]

Remember when Ron once his least favorite part of debating was going on the attack....except when his supporters are disrespected. :)

[Cleaner44]

I am quite happy the RP supporter was quiet and peaceful throughout and didn't kill anyone for getting his toes stepped on. I much prefer 'Gingrich campaign assaults Paul supporter' headlines over 'Paul Supporter murders member of Gingrich campaign in Broad Daylight' headlines.

Yeah, I am not into murdering people, in fact I am flat out anti-murder. That said, your right to swing your arms ends at the tip of my nose. If I have someone bringing some assault and battery into my peaceful world I will defend myself and that does not mean I will respond be stepping on toes. Self-defense is not murder my friend.

[satchelmcqueen]

we need to spread this story far and wide. fucking "men in black" looking thugs. weak police also. need to report that as well.

[Mani]

I remember last campaign some loud lady came crashing toward Dr. Paul during a rally and a bunch of supporters converged on her. One put his foot on her shoulder and partially on her head while they held her down.

OMG they interviewed her on TV and showed the youtube 40 thousand fucking times.

Ugh.

And this Security bastard is bashing a guys foot in front of 1,000 fucking media and cameras and it's...eh...some stomping match between a couple supporters...

[PaulConventionWV]

Sorry...it's over now. Cavuto just ended up making a couple of comments on it. He got the story wrong and said that it was Gingrich supporters that stepped on a Paul supporters feet, when in fact it was Gingrich's security that did it. Therefore, he ended up making Paul out to be a little overzealous on the matter.

He did it on purpose. This stuff never happens by accident. It was a Gingrich supporter because, apparently, the news can get away with false reporting now.