Did Wolf know the questioner was from the Feder campaign, and not a "real" reporter? What kind of public location were they in--- after a debate, press conference, or meeting in Wolf's office? Was it the woman who poked one of the two Feder associates? Not that it makes any difference, of course, but we all know how paranoid politicians in general and Republicans in particular are about entrapment. "Watch out! here comes those damned videographers going to put you up on You Tube with all your gaffes in living color!" And they were in Fake Virginia, to boot.  

On Friday, at the NARFE debate in Winchester, Congressman Wolf went so far as to call Judy Feder "a liar" in public. Following the debate, two staffers from the Feder campaign approached Congressman Wolf and asked him to explain how he planned to pay for the $5,000 health care tax credit he supports.

The debate was held at the Best Western Lee-Jackson. Here's a photo of the hotel:

because he was with the Feder campaign.

Someone should email this to a detective, and congressman wolf should be hauled into the police station and made to explain this.

come on, two pesky young men acting as though they are innocent journalist, repeatedly asking a question which the senator is obviously not interested in answering.  If I was the magistrate, I'd asked the two: (1) Isn't there any level of respect and space an another human should be granted, especially in public? (2) Why didn't you just back off per the request of Wolf's staffers?  and (3) If these questions were that important, why not didn't the person you work for address these questions in the debate then leave it at that - instead of chosing to antagonist a U.S. Senator?  Case dismissed, now get out of my court and don't let it happen again.  

1) Wolf isn't a Senator, he's a Representative
2) There is nothing illegal with asking a question
3) There is nothing illegal in videotaping a politician at a political event
4) The guys doing the taping were not impeding Wolf's progress, they were not delaying him, they were in no way assaulting him (making him feel fearful) nor did they commit battery (touch him).

His fellow Grandpa Simpson support did commit assault and battery on the guy with the camera. The other one definitely committed battery on the guy outside and I would assume assault as well since he indicated he asked them to release him and they didn't.

I personally would have knocked Grandpa senseless but the best move was/is to post the video and let the public decide.

Lots of angry and bitter Republicans out there.  Remember, for conservative Virginians in their 60s and 70s, or at least white ones who have lived here their entire lives, they grew up in a segregated society.  They were either in school or out of school and probably parents when massive resistance was invoked.  They grew up in a fight, supporting segregation and massive resistance.  Or at least they didn't fight against it.  

Now they're old, and they see their conservative state changing and they're not happy.  Yeah, I know that Virginia used to be heavily Democratic at the state and local level, but those were conservative Dems who are now conservative Republicans.  Back then they were Democrats because Lincoln was a Republican and he led the war that defeated the South, defeated Virginia.  

I notice that by far, the angriest partisans at almost any political event are the old white guys.  Instead of adapting to the times they remain dinosaurs in private, and the Obama campaign is the latest and last insult toward their beliefs.

next time send two guys who have some physical stature.  Not too convincing of being "assaulted" by two staffers who look like they could be in a Geritol commericial.

notice how polite and respectful the Feder staffer is compared to the physical attack by Wolf's supporters.  Lack of control, lack of respect, while breaking the law!  What part of assualt and battery do they not understand?  Charges should be pressed.

He sees it happen and says NOTHING!  And then sees it happen again and says nothing again!  

From the Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.c...

"The campaign apologizes if Ben used poor judgment and hit him with his cane," Scandling said. But he said the reaction was "provoked." The two Feder staffers had been egging him on with questions like, "How does it feel to be in the real Virginia?" Scandling said.

Obviously, questions worthy of an assault. Oh, please.

How dare you approach a member in good standing of our Amerikan Ruling Class without clearance! Don't you realize we are at war?  Don't you realize our leaders are not public figures and their privacy must be guarded by private security paid by us?

Why aren't you out shopping or driving around in your SUV? Why are you bothering the courageous Mr. Wolfe?

Let's put these criminal Republican creeps out of office and into JAIL from Bush down to your local legislator.

Vote Progressive or Non-incumbent on Nov. 4.

which is something like 17.  That said, don't see anything very interesting in this poor attempt at ambush journalism other than Wolf doesn't seem to particularly by enjoying himself.

Nothing here that would make me support Judy Feder any more or less than I do now.

-AJ

questions, while pretending to be a "moderate" Republican (which he is NOT; just look at his voting record), doesn't bother you?  And the fact that he stands by while his peep's assault Feder campaign staffers doesn't concern you at all?  How about the fact that Wolf's voted consistently against a woman's right to choose, energy efficiency and renewables, the environment, stem cell research, and quality/affordable health care (among many other things)?  

On the other hand, we have Judy Feder, one of the country's leading experts on health care, a woman of tremendous energy and integrity who will represent all the people of her district, not just the rich and powerful.

Tough choice, huh? :)

the ambush style journalism usually doesn't help a candidate and this case is no different.  However, that's not the point in this case.

This type of tracker videography is a fact of political life.  It is annoying when you're on the receiving end (just ask former Senator Allen or anyone on Webb's team when they had at tracker on our guy) but that is no excuse to break the law and assault the videographer or for Wolf to look the other way when an attack is happening by his supporters.

from very early on.  They could be annoying at time, but guess what?  Despite Webb's reputation as a supposed "hothead," he NEVER was anything but respectful to those people, certainly wouldn't have tolerated anyone on his staff assaulting them that's for damn sure!  Frank Wolf: you are no Jim Webb!

Webb kept his cool.  Remember this?

http://richmonddemocrat.blogsp...

Thanks for reminding us, it's highly relevant in the context of this latest incident.

In Hunter's case, it's not like George Allen was there watching it happen.

putting his name on the backs to kids sports team tee shirts.  That way he can pretend to give a fig about children, children's health, and the health of his constituents.  We already know he doesn't care enough about their economic well being--except of course the wealthiest of his donor base.

Someone above mentioned constituent service.  All Congresspersons do constituent service.  most do it very well.  So, no matter who is in office following Nov 4 that won't change.  Judy Feder will serve All constituents well, no matter what party you are from, no matter what your means...

And the fact is that nearly all Loudonites Will be better off under a Democratic admin with a Democratic Congress.  The notable exceptions to that have had their turn--and much more.

I think that this new campaign tactic of following a candiate around with a camera and badgering him under the guise of "asking questions" is lame.  I don't blame him or any other candidate for walking away.  Its not a legitimate interview, its trying to make him look foolish by stooping down to the level you'd expect to see on the show "punk'd."  Get a life.

And a congressman shouldn't stand by when an assault is happening.  Repeatedly.

I disagree with you, but further, this action was completely despicable, far worse than daring to ask an elected official a question.

Before I saw this, I had nothing against Frank Wolf, I just preferred Feder, but now I'm disgusted that Wolf is my congressman, he is a shame to the body and to the district.

South County - please tell me right now if you believe that the proper response to being asked a question by an opponent's staffer with a camera is hitting them.  Is it or is it not?

Legacy, of course hitting someone is never acceptable.  I am referring to the practice of pestering a candidate by following 2 feet behind them and yelling out questions while filming.  I don't know whether these folks are paparazzi wannabes or what, but I think it diminishes everyone involved, the cadidate being punk'd, the filmmakers, and the candidate they support.  While violence is not accaptable, they are unnecessarily instigating a confrontational situation.  Why not take that time and effort to do something productive such as droping literature supporting their candidate in a local neighborhood?  

I beleive there is a key distinction between filming a candidate's public comments, such as Allen's 'moment' - that's fair game.  But, the amateur attack journalism stuff is bush league.  Remember what happened to former Rep. Harold Ford in the Tennessee Senate race a few years ago.  He 'confronted' his opponent Mayor Bob Corker with cameras rolling in a parking lot two weeks before the election.  It backfired in his face as amateurish and wimpy, and now Mayor Corker is Senator Corker.  Resist the urge to make politics a race to the bottom.

But I don't recall Bob Corker's people attacking anyone. Do you?

His people assaulted one Feder staffer and pinned the other one against the wall of the hotel, while Wolf did nothing to stop it.  There's nothing acceptable about that.

Technically it's assault and battery.  

This is a serious question, and I have learned at least one partial answer...

Writing to him as a registered voter in his district and including your contact information (phone/email/postal address) does NOT work.  Neither Mr Wolf, nor anyone from his congressional office, has ever once responded to any of my individual letters to him (all sent U.S. postal mail) over the many years I've lived in his district and been concerned about his pending votes on telecommunications, internet, veterans benefits, torture, and the war in Iraq.  To be completely fair, a few times he has made public statements that answered my questions unacceptably (meaning he clearly disagrees with me) a couple of times... but I had to go look for those statements in the news media... he could not even be bothered to have a staffer respond to my personal letter with a "keep your eyes open for a public statement from the congressman on this date" response....

I complained about this complete disregard for voters in his own district at the Sunday Supper Club, and wise members there showed one way to get Wolf's time and response; to organize into a PAC or Lobby.  Have the organization officially contact the congressman, and make sure you are on the meet & greet team from that organization.

That is the only successful way I have found for citizens to open up a dialogue with congressman Wolf.

Given that I am opposed to his positions on dozens of issues, and I am personally offended by his complete lack of support for troops returning from war zones; I know how I am voting... and I cannot wait to vote against him every election.

Hopefully this will be the last time I have to.

I have gotten mail back from Wolf, although it takes him so long to respond that I often forget what was the letter about in the first place. And then he sends me these letter where he thanks me for supporting him, even though I never agreed with him in the first place!

And he never seems to listen to constituents that disagree with him. He always votes along with the GOP party line.

Senator Warner was different. He would vote on many things that I disagreed with, but he would vote along with my views once in a while. I still have to see one vote that is not lockstep with radical right-wing policy from Wolf.

Care to cross-post this on national blogs?  DailyKos and the like?  This is the kind of thing that Democrats nationwide ought to see.

and OpenLeft.  I'm hoping that Daily Kos will pick up the story as well as many other blogs, like Huffington Post.

Though apparently the masses (one person) are not (is not) taking it all too well over at MyDD.  Well, let them compare asking questions of elected officials to the Factor - everyone I've shown it to, 10th CD residents included, have been disgusted by the behavior of Wolf and his staff.

PS - I'd note that Matt, the guy taking the video (and punches) is like 5 foot six, 140 lbs.  It takes true courage for a guy like the one we saw in the footage to hit a guy like that.

somebody is about to get a visit from the po-po

Someone needs to get the Commonwealth's Attorney on this. Dutton not only deserves the legal ramifications of his actions, it also keeps the story alive.

restricting the movement for even a second of someone is Kidnapping.

Just saying.....

Kidnapping.  The crime of unlawfully seizing and carrying away a person by force or Fraud, or seizing and detaining a person against his or her will with an intent to carry that person away at a later time.

The law of kidnapping is difficult to define with precision because it varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Most state and federal kidnapping statutes define the term kidnapping vaguely, and courts fill in the details.

Generally, kidnapping occurs when a person, without lawful authority, physically asports (i.e., moves) another person without that other person's consent, with the intent to use the abduction in connection with some other nefarious objective. Under the Model Penal Code (a set of exemplary criminal rules fashioned by the American Law Institute), kidnapping occurs when any person is unlawfully and non-consensually asported and held for certain purposes. These purposes include gaining a ransom or reward; facilitating the commission of a felony or a flight after the commission of a felony; terrorizing or inflicting bodily injury on the victim or a third person; and interfering with a governmental or political function (Model Penal Code § 212.1).

Lowell, I realize that you are being paid by the Feder campaign to pedel this nonsense, but the rest of you should know better.  This was a sleazy attempt to provoke an opponent and it fell short.  I doubt seriously if Feder's people were harmed in any way.  In fact, the real harm is probably to Judy Feder's campaign.  Does anyone honestly believe that a single undecided voter in the 10th CD is going to be positively swayed towards Feder by this stunt?

kidnapping? Nope, didn't think so.

scrambling to deal with it, issuing a non-apology "apology" today?  Why are the Washington Post and many other media outlets covering the story?  Hmmmm.

Was specifically to pvogel and generally to the hyperventilating comments here about a "non-incident."  C'mon, now.  Did that mean 83-year-old bully really hurt Feder's videographer?  Was he acting out his white racist upbringing, as postulated by another poster?  Give me a break.

This was a case of extraordinarily bad manners, on both sides, and trying to turn it into a criminal case is indeed nonsense.

The Camera man was not being respectful either.  How you everyone feel if they started putting camera's in the face of Judy.  You all would be pissed.

It is one thing to video a speech it is another to get in the face of a candidate.  We can ask hard questions without being so agressive.

Wolf was asked if he agreed on the tax increase that McCain is advocating for medical benefits. Wolf behaved as if this was a grave offense against him.

Is Wolf ashamed to agree on the tax increase to medical benefits? Is his shame good enough to have citizens assaulted?

Should this be happening in a democracy?  

The issue here isn't about disrespectful camera work.  There is a lot to debate about what constitutes free speech and the right to persistently ask tough questions to a public official, and where/when the line is crossed and it becomes harassment.

But the issue here is the physical attack on two of Feder's campaign staff and Wolf's complete lack of effort to reign in his own people who were breaking the law in front of his eyes.  

There is no evidence to indicate that either of the Feder staffers posed a threat to Congressman Wolf that would justify a physical response.  Wolf's supporters were angered by the questions and/or video camera and responded with an illegal physical assault.

Well, cameras were in Jim Webb's face constantly during the Webb-Allen campaign. Nobody ever hit one of Allen's trackers, even if it was annoying. End of story.

I was questioning the agressiveness of the camera man - In fact, there is a close line that has to be watch with this kind of thing.  He is after all a sitting representative of our country - I know they are running for office but it could have been view as a threat - whether or not you think it is a good campaign strategy is one thing.  

Of course there is no excuse of the guy to be a total jerk and push him.

But - it appears it will get the national attention he wanting - it is on Dailykos front page.

part wrong.  A word like that could be applied to an over-aggressive cameraman.  I'm not saying I'd call this cameraman a jerk, but I can see where some might.

I believe the word you're looking for with regard to the person attacking the cameraman with a cane and his fists is "criminal".   Jerk has nothing to do with those actions, they are against the law.  They are criminal.  Period.

ranting about "Chinese secret police in Fairfax County."