Think Progress

Rep. Wolf does nothing while GOP staffers physically assault Democratic trackers.

Last Friday, two staffers for Judy Feder, the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 10th congressional district, were assaulted by two individuals accompanying Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA). Feder’s staffers were trying to ask Wolf about his support for Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) proposed $5,000 health care tax credit. Wolf stood idly by as the assault took place. Lowell Feld at Raising Kaine described the encounter:

The first Feder staffer was hit with a cane and then punched. The second staffer (as you will see on the video) was pinned to a wall and forcibly held there. All of this took place in the presence of Congressman Wolf, who stood by and did nothing to intervene.

Watch it:



41 Responses to “Rep. Wolf does nothing while GOP staffers physically assault Democratic trackers.”

  1. krazeeinjun says:

    Hence the well-earned nickname “ReThuglicans.”

    Just saying . . .


  2. Uncle Fester Lurks says:

    Okay was this even worth a thread on this blog? I despise republikkkans as much as anyone here but come on. The reporter kept repeating “I know you don’t like to answer questions” So what was the purpose of hounding Wolf?
    And calling this an assault…come on. Lets not become like the republikkkans…please.


  3. Chocolate Jesus says:

    the goons apparently have a telepathic link with thier boss, featured in many a hollywood movie, that allows them to know what he wants them to do without him needing to verbalize it..


  4. unbelievable says:

    I wish I could say that I was surprised. Unfortunately, after the last 8 years of Republican rule, I am not at all srprised that the Cons are yet again resorting to bullying and actual violence when they are not getting their way. This is precisely why the crime rate in Conservative states is so much higher than in liberal ones.


  5. DidHeJustSayThat says:

    Those ruffians were trying to carve backwards “B” in the cheek of congressman Wolf!

    He has every right to defend himself and support whoever he wishes.


  6. unbelievable says:

    Uncle Fester Lurks Says: And calling this an assault…come on.

    Then what would you call punching someone?

    “The first Feder staffer was hit with a cane and then punched.”


  7. Uncle Fester Lurks says:

    Look I don’t condone violence unless it is directed at republikkkans *snark* but I didn’t see the punch all I heard was what apparently was a cane hitting a mike or camera.

    Yes punching someone is assault, hitting someone with a cane is assault but I thought the headline was a bit sensationalized but that is just my opinion.

    Sadly there may come a day when we long for the days of being punched and caned with the taser guns and microwave heat machine (crowd control)


  8. the Lone Voice of Reason says:

    Thug politics at it’s worst. Splash THAT all over the news for a change. It’s on video so they can’t say it’s made up like that chick did who said she was attacked because she supported McBlinky.


  9. RUCerious says:

    Thugs. That is what the GOP has been reduced to.

    May they be removed from office en masse, and for a very long time.

    We have lots of their damage to fix, and it could take decades.


  10. raynman says:

    This is just another symptom of the general hysteria that is sweeping through the Republican ranks as they realize just how badly things are looking for them.


  11. Uncle Ho says:

    In 1933-34, the German police just looked on indifferent as the Brownshirts beat up Communists and Jews.


  12. Uncle Fester Lurks says:

    I guess when I first read the headline I was expecting a bunch of republikkkan goons pummeling the staffers while they lay prone on the ground.

    As I said before, with the increasing use by police of taser guns and the coming microwave weapon to control protestors/crowds we may soon long for the days when we used to be punched, clubbed, kicked or caned.


  13. Wayne says:

    Uncle Fester Lurks Says:
    And calling this an assault…come on. Lets not become like the republikkkans…please.

    If you hit someone with an object such as a cane or club then hit them with your fist, that is assault and this video evidence would be enough to have the person charged in most places. It fits the legal definition of assault.

    If you had walked up to someone and did this, you would probably be cooling your heels in a cell until your bail was set.

    One of these days his goons will assault the wrong person.


  14. Uncle Fester Lurks says:

    Uncle Ho Says:

    In 1933-34, the German police just looked on indifferent as the Brownshirts beat up Communists and Jews.
    ““““““““““““““““““““““`
    Good point Uncle Ho, I now realize the error in my first comment.


  15. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    Perhaps Congressman Frank Wolf does not believe in upholding our First Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances, despite the fact that he took an oath to do just that.


  16. DutchHenry says:

    How is this not assault or at least an attempt to damage personal property by the Rep of a congressman,well,this is what our America has become an enclave for political thuggery.


  17. shoeless says:

    Frank Wolf Earmark Funds to Aid His Own Legislative Initiative

    Washington, D.C. – The National Center for Public Policy Research is calling on U.S. Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) to fully disclose his role in securing a $1 million earmark to the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Foundation included in last year’s massive transportation bill.

    “Frank Wolf is the chief House sponsor of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area Act,” said David Ridenour, vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research. “If he was instrumental in securing federal funds for the principal organization pushing for his initiative, he has a conflict of interest and is, a minimum, ethically-challenged.”

    Representative Wolf is a likely sponsor of the earmark. The National Heritage Area that would be established by his bill encompasses his district and he is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where earmarks typically are attached.

    Representative Wolf’s bill would also allow for up to $1 million in federal funds for the Heritage Area each fiscal year.

    “This means one pork-barrel earmark is being used to press for another pork-barrel earmark,” said Peyton Knight, director of environmental and regulatory affairs at the National Center.

    According to The National Center’s investigation, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Foundation (JTHG Foundation), which has been lobbying town councils and boards of supervisors to secure these resolutions, barely existed in 2005. According to the JTHG Foundation’s press materials, the Foundation hadn’t yet finalized its “letters of incorporation/501c3 non-profit organization status” as of November 16, 2005. And, for at least part of the year, the Foundation’s mailing address was the personal post office box of the group’s executive director, Cate Magennis Wyatt.

    “Frank Wolf and the JTHG Foundation would have us believe that local community activists are clamoring for this Heritage Area designation. They would have us believe this is home-grown,” said Ridenour. “It’s only home-grown if you believe Capitol Hill is populated by local community activists.”

    Representative Wolf recently opposed a measure that would have required Members of Congress to list their names next to earmarks. He also reportedly has rejected requests to publicly disclose the earmarks he arranged over his years of service.

    http://www.nationalcenter.org/PRJTHGWolfEarmark1006.html


  18. Michael Lafferty says:

    Just a quick correction: in most jurisdictions, menacing or threatening confrontation without contact constitutes assault. Battery is the proper term to use when offensive physical contact occurs. The pair together are assault and battery.


  19. unbelievable says:

    George Lakoff explained in “Don’t Think of an Elephant” that Conservatives believe that everyone is basically bad and needs to be punished for their offenses. I think it’s why so many Republicans delight in violence against others that they think are “wrong”.

    Seriously, it’s a mental disorder at the very least.


  20. Fred says:

    Uncle Fester Lurks Says:

    I think the whole point is that this is republican SOP. They are and always have been angry.

    John mccain loses temper

    The friend, who often travels with Mr McCain, said the candidate lost his temper: “There were raised voices.


  21. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    Since Obama is up 6 on McCain in VA, I suspect that Wolf is a little cranky right now seeing that he may just be losing his job. Hopefully this story will be in the VA newspapers so that the voters there can really get a measure of the man. Any politician who stands by and watches violence occurring by his staff and does nothing about it, no matter how minor the violence may be, does not deserve to be re-elected.


  22. tombaker says:

    More typical behavior from “those people”.

    Classy. Now all they need is a van with a meth lab to live in.


  23. barracks9 says:

    Why am I picturing the end of Seinfeld? All four of them in jail, all for having stood by while someone was attacked…

    Oh, well…look at how many other Rethugs stood by, doing nothing, while Bush/Cheney beat up on the world.


  24. hussein toasterhead says:

    Slightly OT but LOL:

    Obama runs constructive criticism ad
    In response to Republican attacks, Obama unleashed a series of slightly negative ads that gently point out how McCain could be doing better.


  25. Buckie Boy says:

    When Obama wins watch out folks, the criminal Mafia members of the GOP are going to get physical with people.

    My wife and I already were nearly attacked by one when he saw our Obama TShirts, be he backed off once he got close, hehe, my arms are as big as his thighs, he rethought his actions.


  26. Max-1 says:

    .

    D O N ‘T
    T A Z E
    M E
    B R O!!!

    I knew then that our COngressmen were lost. As long as they are fat and taken care of, the People acan just go to hell!!!

    … And they’ll just stand there and do nothing to stop it.

    .


  27. Shayne says:

    They passed the threshold of simple assault and moved on to battery when they made contact like that. Simple assault would have been them threatening to harm the camera operator. These are supposed to be elected officials and should be held to a higher standard.


  28. Shayne says:

    Wait, is Rep. Wolf’s district in the “real” part of Virginia. Could we get a comment from Nancy Pfluffernutter.


  29. Comrade Rutherford says:

    Frank Wolf endorses unmitigated violence against anyone that dares to ask any serious questions. The Republican Party is on record as endorsing violence as a response to all threats to their political hegemony.

    The last 7 years have proven beyond all ‘reasonable doubt’ that Conservatism has no legitimate political position and will never win on the merits of their arguments, Conservatives are on record urging their followers to violence. Inciting riots and rigging election results through tampered electronic machines are the only things the Republican Party can win.

    And McCain won 2008 with 52.8%.


  30. hussein toasterhead says:

    Shayne Says:

    These are supposed to be elected officials and should be held to a higher standard.

    October 27th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
    _______

    AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! AAAAAAH HA HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHA!

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

    AH HA HA HA!

    Hee hee… Hee hee hee!

    HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Oh man stop it, yer killin me here!


  31. jb says:

    It is not long till these thugs will get a beat down they will not forget.


  32. the Lone Voice of Reason says:

    Don’t celebs get in trouble for threatening the paparazzi? How is this different? There was physical contact made. A&B charges should be brought against them and I hope that they are.


  33. MrWombat says:

    Give him a call tell him how you feel, I did:

    Washington Office
    241 Cannon Building
    Washington, DC 20515
    (202) 225-5136
    (202) 225-0437 fax

    Herndon Office
    13873 Park Center Rd Ste.130
    Herndon, VA 20171
    (703) 709-5800 or
    (800) 945-9653 in state
    (703) 709-5802 fax

    Winchester Office
    110 N. Cameron St.
    Winchester, VA 22601
    (540) 667-0990 or
    (800) 850-3463 in state
    (540) 678-0402 fax


  34. the Lone Voice of Reason says:

    MrWombat #33–Tried that, can’t get through. Big surprise there

    NOT


  35. SKdeA says:

    And you can contribute to Feder’s campaign here:


  36. SKdeA says:

  37. Perry logan says:

    Republicans are not so much thugs as punks. Their forte is covert action and dirty tricks, not physical confrontation. I have no doubt they would attack us en masse if they weren’t such flaming cowards.

    The Mess We’re In:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiBWkNFtrEg


  38. Mr Blifil says:

    How old is that dude throwing the punches? 80? What a disgrace. Imagine reaching that phase of life and thinking yourself some kind of street fighter, when you’re just some sad old man getting your jollies off sucker punching people who pose no physical threat whatsoever.

    As for the wall pinning hooligans, I hope they earned their free sandwich coupons and water park passes. Off-season of course.


  39. southrnbelle says:

    This guy should sue!


  40. Yankeluh says:

    Typical Republican P.O.S. that thinks he can do anything and get away with it.


  41. STILTON says:

    Guess who just lost a voter? I live in Loudon County, VA. I was impressed that Frank Wolf was able to get the Metro rail/bus project extended out to the Dulles area, which might have happened eventually. Still, the traffic out this way is loathesome.

    After seeing this piece of sh*t in action, I won’t ever vote for him or another Republican EVER and I mean E-V-E-R again in Loudon County.

    Thank you Frank Wolf for showing your true colors. Your 4 page color brochure that arrived in the mail the other day with all the family-friendly photos did you no justice. This does. I wouldn’t vote for you if you were on my doorstep on both knees begging for my vote. Go to hell.



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