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Wolf-Feder race gets ugly
Politics can get downright mean sometimes.Take the Frank Wolf-Judy Feder campaign in the 10th Congressional District. After a candidates forum Oct. 24 in Winchester, an 83-year-old Wolf staffer whacked a Feder campaign worker with a metal cane.
Dan Scandling, in charge of the Wolf campaign, admitted Ben Dutton – the Wolf staffer – hit videographer Matt Kent with a cane. But Scandling called the incident "pure political paparazzi" and "just a stunt and a setup."
Scandling said two Feder campaign workers – Josh Goodman and Kent – followed Wolf downstairs and around the building and into a hotel, creating a hostile environment with their aggressive questioning.
"They were simply trying to get Congressman Wolf to respond and explain himself regarding his stance on McCain's health-care plan," said Feder spokesperson Marisa McNee.
The Feder campaign says Wolf supporter Gary Lofton confronted Goodman in a threatening manner during the incident. They say a YouTube video shows that interaction.
Lofton, a member of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors, denies he pinned Goodman against the wall.
"I was merely trying to engage him in a dialogue that might disengage him from his disrespectful behavior, as well as try to determine if I could help him get an answer to his questions," Lofton said, adding that he offered to buy the young men lunch or coffee to try and talk to them in a calmer setting.
"This whole incident is unfortunate, and we certainly never expected that questions about Congressman Wolf's support of the McCain health-care plan would lead to a violent response from the congressman's staff," said Luke McFarland, Feder's campaign manager.
No criminal assault charges were filed.
The Feder camp is calling for Dutton to be fired immediately.
Scandling said Goodman and Kent were apparent ringleaders of a similar incident involving Karl Rove at American University in spring 2007, but McNee denies such allegations.
Skanky kids better not mess with Seniors!!
Posted by segeny
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