On Election Eve the Repub Congressional Candidate for Montana's Only House Seat "BodySlams" Reporter

[Tour2ma]

The reporter was pressing the candidate, Republican Greg Gianforte, for an answer about his stance on the Republican's ACA replacement bill following release of the CBO's "scoring".

A reporting team for Fox News, there to tape an interview with the candidate, witnessed the entire event. Additionally the reporter, "rolling tape" to record an interview, recorded the assault.

 

The candidate has been charged with misdemeanor assault. His staff released a statement including a version of events that is inconsistent with witness accounts in that it claims the reporter initiated contact by grabbing the candidate's wrist.

 

Three major, Montana newspapers, who had endorsed the Rupublican candidate, withdrew their endorsement overnite. The election is being held today. Polls showed Gianforte with a lead going in the race and the likely winner.

Greg Gianforte: Fox News team witnesses GOP House candidate 'body slam' reporter

By Alicia Acuna

Published May 24, 2017 Fox News

The race to fill Montana's sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives took a violent turn Wednesday, and a crew from the Fox News Channel, including myself, witnessed it firsthand.

As part of our preparation for a story about Thursday's special election to air on "Special Report with Bret Baier," we arranged interviews with the top two candidates, Republican Greg Gianforte and Democrat Rob Quist. On Wednesday, I joined field producer Faith Mangan and photographer Keith Railey in Bozeman for our scheduled interview with Gianforte, which was to take place at the Gianforte for Congress Bozeman Headquarters.

Faith, Keith and I arrived early to set up for the interview in a room adjacent to another room where a volunteer BBQ was to take place. As the time for the interview neared, Gianforte came into the room. We exchanged pleasantries and made small talk about restaurants and Bozeman.

During that conversation, another man — who we now know is Ben Jacobs of The Guardian — walked into the room with a voice recorder, put it up to Gianforte's face and began asking if he had a response to the newly released Congressional Budget Office report on the American Health Care Act. Gianforte told him he would get to him later. Jacobs persisted with his question. Gianforte told him to talk to his press guy, Shane Scanlon.

At that point, Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him. Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the reporter. As Gianforte moved on top of Jacobs, he began yelling something to the effect of, "I'm sick and tired of this!"

Jacobs scrambled to his knees and said something about his glasses being broken. He asked Faith, Keith and myself for our names. In shock, we did not answer. Jacobs then said he wanted the police called and went to leave. Gianforte looked at the three of us and repeatedly apologized. At that point, I told him and Scanlon, who was now present, that we needed a moment. The men then left.

To be clear, at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, who left the area after giving statements to local sheriff's deputies.

As for myself and my crew, we are cooperating with local authorities. Gianforte was given a citation for misdemeanor assault and will have to appear in court sometime before June 7.

Scanlon later issued a statement saying that Jacobs "entered the [campaign] office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face, and began asking badgering questions."

Later, the statement added, "After asking Jacobs to lower the recorder, Jacobs declined. Greg then attempted to grab the phone that was pushed in his face. Jacobs grabbed Greg's wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground. It's unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ."

(Alicia Acuna joined Fox News Channel (FNC) in 1997 and currently serves as a general assignment reporter based in the network's Denver bureau.)

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/24/greg-gianforte-fox-news-team-witnesses-gop-house-candidate-body-slam-reporter.html

[OldBrownsFan]

This will be an interesting race to watch as this happened the night before election day. I read where about 60 percent of the votes have already been cast with early voting. The guy was wrong but I have a tough time having sympathy for journalists. They are the bottom feeders having giving up their position of being the watchdogs of democracy to being lapdogs (primarily for the democrats).

[Westside Steve]

So is it or is it not on videotape whether or not the reorter grabbed the guy's wrist ?

 

WSS

[Westside Steve]

Plus I assume the reporter is now wearing a neck brace and walking with a came .

?

WSS

[Canton Dawg]

Was it a title match for the championship belt?

[Tour2ma]

Steve, the reporter was taken to the emergency room... focus was on one of his elbows. Haven't heard any update.

 

No video that I know of, but if a Fox News crew has taken his side...

 

 

This will be an interesting race to watch as this happened the night before election day. I read where about 60 percent of the votes have already been cast with early voting. The guy was wrong but I have a tough time having sympathy for journalists. They are the bottom feeders having giving up their position of being the watchdogs of democracy to being lapdogs (primarily for the democrats).

 

You of course mean if it's not your idea of a "democracy"...

 

What is your idea of a democracy, anyway? How does it differ from our representative democracy?

[OldBrownsFan]

Steve, the reporter was taken to the emergency room... focus was on one of his elbows. Haven't heard any update.

 

No video that I know of, but if a Fox News crew has taken his side...

 

 

 

You of course mean if it's not your idea of a "democracy"...

 

What is your idea of a democracy, anyway? How does it differ from our representative democracy?

 

Lets focus on the meaning of democracy in regards to the press. Their role is supposedly to be the watchdogs of our democracy. That is not just my idea of democracy. Do you think they are doing that today? No way. Wikileaks exposed collusion between the liberal media and the Clinton campaign. The bias of the MSM is well documented. In many cases the liberal media are just an extension of the democratic party. Many so called liberal journalists are even activists:

 

 

BuzzFeed NEWS Reporter is on CRUSADE to kill Hannity’s sponsors and GETS ONE

"Meet Mary Georgantopoulos, a news reporter for BuzzFeed News: Today Mary Georgantopoulos, a ‘news reporter’, tweeted this out to her followers: I'm reaching out to companies that advertise on Sean Hannity’s Fox . . .

 

Ok so you can feel about Hannity and his obsession however you want. Most people don’t like it given the requests of the family. But this is a news reporter who admits that she is actively calling Hannity’s sponsors and asking them what they are going to do about his show.

 

Sounds like this little ‘news reporter’ has been busy trying to ramp up this boycott. Again, you can hate Hannity all you want, but is this really what a news reporter should be doing?

 

Maybe she should just drop the ‘news reporter’ from her title and instead call herself a Buzzfeed Liberal Activist, because it fits better."

 

http://therightscoop.com/buzzfeed-news-reporter-is-on-crusade-to-kill-hannitys-sponsors-and-gets-one/

[calfoxwc]

liberals insist that they never face consequences, so they can demand all political/moral opposition face consequences.

[Westside Steve]

Any good P I attorney will tell you to go to straight to the emergency room.

 

He should probably sue Donald Trump because according to the left wing media it's his fault.

?

WSS

[calfoxwc]

wait... i thought liberals were all about "yeah, you have freedom of speech, but you

have to accept consequences"

 

odd how they think that always goes for only the republican/conservative side.

[bbedward]

Camp Dan Quist this morning, and pretty much every other democrat:

 

 

Basically impossible for a republican to lose in Montana, unless something like this happens.

[OldBrownsFan]

It is hard for democrats to win in Montana but Montana does have a democrat governor.

 

What may have really helped the republican Gianforte was the early voting with most voters already having voted before the assault incident. But early voting is something the democrats always want because it helps them but in this case it hurt them. How many would have switched their votes on election day if they had the chance?

[Canton Dawg]

I guess giving a reporter a vertical suplex isn't too bad...considering Gianforte won the election.

[tiamat63]

wait... i thought liberals were all about "yeah, you have freedom of speech, but you

have to accept consequences"

 

odd how they think that always goes for only the republican/conservative side.

Noted that you're cool with assault as a consequence.

 

edit: Woody that's basically the self admitted green light to break the old mans jaw at a tailgate. You know, all those birds pics aren't without freedom of consequence.

[calfoxwc]

Noted that you're cool with assault as a consequence.

 

edit: Woody that's basically the self admitted green light to break the old mans jaw at a tailgate. You know, all those birds pics aren't without freedom of consequence.

total misrepresentation of what I posted. I didn't say I was cool with that, but you dishonest hack liberals pick and choose

your feelings on issues. It was assault before, and you hacks went with "well, yeah, you have freedom of speech,

but if you get attacked, that is the result of your free speech, like it or not"

 

But now, you flippy and don't mention it, because your false political narratives don't fit.

btw, the woodpecker gifs etc are woody's consequences, and as such, are not anything else but payback for constant crap.

Now, encouraging anyone to try to break my jaw... that is when you should get a timeout.

[jbluhm86]

Completely unacceptable behavior from Gianforte. The reporter did nothing but ask him a question on his opinion of the CBO assessment, since Gianforte himself stated at an earlier time that he was going to withhold judgement on the RepubliCare bill until after the CBO assessed it. The reporter was simply doing his job. Gianforte clearly assaulted him unprovoked.

The House of Representatives should immediately refuse to seat him, or censure him at the very least; they have the constitutional authority to do so. Assaulting journalists for asking a legitimate question is wrong, and it would still be wrong if the roles were reversed and it was a Democratic candidate assaulting a Fox News or breitbart journalist unprovoked.

 

EDIT: The Supreme Court ruled in Powell v McCormack that "[Congress] may not exclude a duly elected representative for any reason beyond those enumerated in the Qualifications of Members Clause"; since the assault occurred before he was officially elected to Congress, they have no authority to refuse his seat. As such, the appropriate action from the House would be to officially censure him for his behavior.

[OldBrownsFan]

FLASHBACK: Democratic Congressman Attacked Student Journalist ... And Democrats Defended It!

 

While the media provide wall-to-wall coverage of Montana Congressional candidate Greg Gianforte’s alleged assault on a reporter from the Guardian — while Republicans across Congress are being asked to condemn Gianforte — it’s worthwhile to remember that the media never hold Democrats to the same standard.

 

Way back in June 2010, North Carolina Congressman Bob Etheridge, a seven-term elected Democrat, was asked by a student reporter if he supported the “Obama agenda.” Etheridge promptly attempted to grab the reporter’s cell phone camera, then grab the reporter’s wrist, demanding, “Who are you! Tell me who you are… I have a right to know who you are!” One of the student’s friends, who caught the incident on camera, said, “We’re just here for a project.” When the student in Etheridge’s grip asked to be released, Etheridge instead grabbed him by the neck.

 

Here’s the footage:

 

Etheridge would go on to be defeated by Congresswoman Renee Ellmers in a very tight election. But the media never bothered to ask every Democrat in power about Etheridge’s behavior, or whether it ought to be condemned. The assumption was that Etheridge was acting on his own, that he had behaved badly, and that was that. In fact, Democrats rallied to Etheridge’s defense.

 

Here’s Politico reporting at the time:

"Motives matter, and I think you can see who was behind this," said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse just now. "This was a Republican party tracking operation. If it wasn't a party tracker or intern, why is the face blurred and why is the source hidden? You know if it had been a right wing blog, they'd identify themselves and they'd be booking this person on TV all day. Republicans know if they admit their involvement in this game of gotcha it will undermine their credibility. One minute this guy is interviewing a member of Congress on camera and the next a video is released with his face blurred out? If that doesn’t tell you this is a Republican Party hatchet job nothing will." A national Democratic Party official e-mailed around a set of talking points about an hour ago, under the subject heading, "Etheridge Gotcha Video Background."

Etheridge apologized, and the media let it go.

 

The assumption by the Left, however, is that Gianforte must be abandoned by the Republicans forthwith.

Now, I think there’s a good argument that voters ought to avoid pulling the lever for Gianforte. But they also should have been encouraged to do so with Etheridge by the same media drooling over Gianforte; Democrats should have been forced to answer questions about the incident. They weren’t. Which is one reason that so many Republicans think the media is unfair.

[Clevfan4life]

good one OBF, the usual defense from conservatives.....flat out the kid in that video should have jaw jacked the congressman and quite honestly it would have been legit self defense. Your not allowed to grab someone like that because they asked you a question. That should have been your response OBF, instead of baselessly defending the Montana republican cause some similar asshole on the left did it. For once can one of you stand on principle? Just once? If someone here were to defend Etheridge's actions or try to make some distinction between the two, ok fine...but nobody has and nobody will.

 

We're opening the flood gates here to some really nasty despicable, and now physical, political discourse in this country and none of you seem to care. You're almost giddy about it. It's ok for some congressman in Montana to channel his inner undertaker and chokeslam a journalist but some dudes in Berkley who went there "explicitly" for a fight got bike locked to the dome and you pussy boys bleed from your vagina all over this board.

[OldBrownsFan]

good one OBF, the usual defense from conservatives.....flat out the kid in that video should have jaw jacked the congressman and quite honestly it would have been legit self defense. Your not allowed to grab someone like that because they asked you a question. That should have been your response OBF, instead of baselessly defending the Montana republican cause some similar asshole on the left did it. For once can one of you stand on principle? Just once? If someone here were to defend Etheridge's actions or try to make some distinction between the two, ok fine...but nobody has and nobody will.

 

We're opening the flood gates here to some really nasty despicable, and now physical, political discourse in this country and none of you seem to care. You're almost giddy about it. It's ok for some congressman in Montana to channel his inner undertaker and chokeslam a journalist but some dudes in Berkley who went there "explicitly" for a fight got bike locked to the dome and you pussy boys bleed from your vagina all over this board.

 

The article I posted only pointed out the hypocrisy in the liberal media. If you read it that should have been clear. In no place was the assault being condoned. In fact the article even stated there was a good argument not to vote for Gianforte over the incident.

 

BTW - weren't you the guy who giddily posted about Trump supporters getting beat up...if you check prior threads I am sure it was you Cleve.

[Clevfan4life]

 

BTW - weren't you the guy who giddily posted about Trump supporters getting beat up...if you check prior threads I am sure it was you Cleve.

I was "giddily" pointing out these "snowflakes" were giving the trump boys a good seeing to. Taken em out back and giving em the beans. Was just surprising to me was all.....cause u know like a day before u were calling em all pajama boys and then said pajama boys were seen snotbubbling sone fags.

 

But u guys got ur shots in too, punching some hippy chicks with weird feet right in the moneymaker is good stuff....no argument from me. ☕️

[Clevfan4life]

Oh, and i also pointed out that when trump protesters were gettin sucker punched as thry were being escorted out of the rally.....y'all thought it was good stuff. So pls dont coatse with me and straw man me. I never condoned what went on in berkley. I just raise my hands and gave up. The civil war was long in the making, by both sides

[tiamat63]

wait... i thought liberals were all about "yeah, you have freedom of speech, but you

have to accept consequences"

 

 

There is no misinterpretation of this ^^^.

 

The old talk shit, get hit mantra. I know you took a certain satisfaction that he stuck it to liberal reporter. For the life of me I dont understand why you try to skirt around that.

 

And no, I'm not advocating violence. Especially against the elderly. I'm saying by your example woody would be within his right to act on that (he wouldn't) and that's just not.right.

 

relax, baby girl, I got yo back should the mean Bird try. Only if we can use that golden buckeye card at dennys after.

[Clevfan4life]

Only if we can use that golden buckeye card at dennys after.

Omglmfao, this wins the day

[Clevfan4life]

There is no misinterpretation of this ^^^.

 

The old talk shit, get hit mantra. I know you took a certain satisfaction that he stuck it to liberal reporter. For the life of me I dont understand why you try to skirt around that.

 

But the kid didnt talk shit, he asked questions as reporters tend to do. Neither did those kids with the dem congressman. Both young men should have utterly flattened those old guys for daring to lay hands on them. I couldnt beleive the dem guy grabbing the kid around the shoulder like his last name was sandusky and this kid wasnt walking into the showers with him like he was told to.

 

The nerve of these old cunts. Maybe the knockout game needs a comeback.....

[OldBrownsFan]

Oh, and i also pointed out that when trump protesters were gettin sucker punched as thry were being escorted out of the rally.....y'all thought it was good stuff. So pls dont coatse with me and straw man me. I never condoned what went on in berkley. I just raise my hands and gave up. The civil war was long in the making, by both sides

 

I condemned it and said it was wrong. In the incident I remember a black man was being escorted out of a Trump rally (deservedly for trying to disrupt it) when an old man came over and sucker punched him. I posted the black protestor was not resisting being escorted out and there was no reason for him to be attacked.

[calfoxwc]

There is no misinterpretation of this ^^^.

 

The old talk shit, get hit mantra. I know you took a certain satisfaction that he stuck it to liberal reporter. For the life of me I dont understand why you try to skirt around that.

 

And no, I'm not advocating violence. Especially against the elderly. I'm saying by your example woody would be within his right to act on that (he wouldn't) and that's just not.right.

 

relax, baby girl, I got yo back should the mean Bird try. Only if we can use that golden buckeye card at dennys after.

of course there is misrepresentation. I don't care about whoever this guy is, I don't know if the reporter was physically

intimidating him, or simply asking a question, and this politician grabbed him and threw him down...

 

your liberal hypocrisy is on display, that is all. You libs pick and choose depending on what sissy mood you are feeling in

at the time.

 

good for you to backtrack on your trying to start some kind of serious problem. The point is, you may rail against this nut

republican who bodyslammed some reporter, whatever the whole story is... but if higgardly slapped a reporter,

your tune would be opposite because of the politics.

 

Neither you nor woody ever want to try to jack my jaw - I'm old school. I will walk away from a fight before it happens, but

when it's on, it's going to be over fast, and I'm the guy who walks away fine. So, Sissy Tiasmsies, whether or not you live up

to your online hostility, it is no problem to me. I'm just one guy who notices how you operate.

[tiamat63]

But the kid didnt talk shit, he asked questions as reporters tend to do. Neither did those kids with the dem congressman. Both young men should have utterly flattened those old guys for daring to lay hands on them. I couldnt beleive the dem guy grabbing the kid around the shoulder like his last name was sandusky and this kid wasnt walking into the showers with him like he was told to.

 

The nerve of these old cunts. Maybe the knockout game needs a comeback.....

That's my point, "pressing questions" now are an excuse to assail anyone bold enough to ask them because it's somehow offensive to a degree allowing that response.

 

Or at least, to some here it is cause enough.

[Clevfan4life]

 

I condemned it and said it was wrong. In the incident I remember a black man was being escorted out of a Trump rally (deservedly for trying to disrupt it) when an old man came over and sucker punched him. I posted the black protestor was not resisting being escorted out and there was no reason for him to be attacked.

Perhaps u did, perhaps not. Prrhaps u haedged ur condemnation, who knows. Like it or not ur now part of "you people" because too many times you tow the line instead of standing on common principle. Like everyone here was appalled at the hillary bullshit that got leaked, but the insistent defense against ever mounting evidence that trump has hos own shit is pathetic. Psul ryan has the right idea, we'll ser where these investigations go......and for that "you people" labrl him a rino

[calfoxwc]

there is no mounting evidence, just mounting hostility at losing the election and

the undoing of Obamao's marxist attempts at "transforming" our country.

 

sore losers. dang.

[Clevfan4life]

of course there is misrepresentation. I don't care about whoever this guy is, I don't know if the reporter was physically

intimidating him, or simply asking a question, and this politician grabbed him and threw him down...

e.

If u dont know something u could always look it up, and see thst the fox news crew backs up the kids story. I know i know, asking that of u is like asking an ill kept clunker to go cross country. But give it the ole college try every now and then eh?