Opinion

[Print] [Email]

Scozzafava calls cops on reporter who asked her about Card Check UPDATED!

By: Mark Tapscott
Editorial Page Editor
10/20/09 6:43 AM EDT

John McCormack is a reporter working for The Weekly Standard. Dede Scozzafava is the extremely liberal New York Assemblywoman running as a Republican to succeed Rep. John McHugh from the Empire State's 23rd congressional district in the upcoming special election.

Scozzafava was speaking at a GOP dinner Monday evening. McCormack was reporting on Scozzafava's campaign, including her recent pledge to the AFL-CIO to support Big Labor's top legislative objective, the Card Check proposal - currently stalled in Congress - to abolish the secret ballot in workplace representation elections.

Scozzafava apparently didn't appreciate being asked about her support of Card Check because after she left and McCormack went to his laptop to file a report on the evening's event, the police showed up. What happened next is .... well, here's McCormack's description:

"Minutes later a police car drove into the parking lot with its lights flashing. Officer Grolman informed me that she was called because 'there was a little bit of an uncomfortable situation' and then took down my name, date of birth, and address.

"'Maybe we do things a little differently here, but you know, persistence in that area, you scared the candidate a little bit,' Officer Grolman told me. '[Scozzafava] got startled, that's all,' Officer Grolman added. 'It's not like you're in any trouble.'"

In thug politics, this is what they call "delivering a little message." You're not in trouble, this time. Go here for the rest of McCormack's report on an evening that says everything about why Scozzafava epitomizes the worst symptoms of Republican Disease.

UPDATE: Scozzafava flak responds

Matt Burns, a spokesman for Scozzafava, tells Politico that McCormack wasn't very nice when he asked his boss all those mean-spirited questions and actually demanded answers:

“This self-described reporter repeatedly screamed questions (in-your-face-style) while our candidate was doing what she is supposed to be doing: speaking with voters (remember, those who will decide this election?). And then he followed the candidate to her car, continuing to carry on in a manner that would make the National Enquirer blush. I have no doubt he intended to follow her home, too. His actions were reprehensible. Those are the facts.”

Uh, welcome to the bigs, buster.

UPDATE II: Kristol stands by his man

No surprise here. Bill Kristol reiterates what everybody who has ever met John McCormack knows:

"Now the Scozzafava campaign accuses John of 'a complete lack of decency' and of behaving in a 'reprehensible' way. This is ludicrous. Needless to say, the police found nothing amiss. Moreover, the fact is that John didn’t interrupt a conversation between Ms. Scozzafava and voters -- she wasn’t talking to voters when John approached her. Nor did John 'scream,' nor did he get 'in the face' of the candidate -- he was at least 10 feet away from her in the parking lot, partly because a Scozzafava staffer interposed himself as John tried to ask substantive public policy questions of Ms. Scozzafava. The notion that John intended to 'follow her home' is of course risible.

"Let me emphasize: I have full confidence in the truth of John’s account. And I won’t allow a desperate campaign to try to tarnish the fine reputation John has built as a fair and accurate reporter -- and, for that matter, a very decent and mild-mannered young man."

Don't miss the rest of Bill's post, which includes an interesting vignette concerning a previous encounter with Scozzafava's spokesman.

Topics

Dede Scozzafava , The Weekly Standard , Doug Hoffman , Conservative Party of New York , Republicans , Democrats , Politics , Congress , NY-23

Follow The Examiner

Eight congressmen now calling for Rangel to give up his seat

The Hill: The tally of House Democrats calling on Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) to resign his seat in Congress stood at eight as members adjourned for the August recess late...

—Mark Hemingway

Growing ‘independent’ nature of electorate is helping GOP

The proportion of Republicans, Democrats, and independents that turnout to vote shape the outcome of every election. Even small shifts in these percentages can dramatically...

—Gary Andres

It’s not just Rangel — Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., to be tried on ethics charges

Here’s your Friday night news dump — move over Charlie Rangel: Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has chosen to go through an ethics trial, like the one lined up for...

—Mark Hemingway

NYT: ‘No more disputing’ economic recovery has slowed down, jobs outlook ‘discouraging’

With the dismal GDP figures that came in today, The New York Times isn’t mincing words. The outlook for jobs and economic growth is bleak: There is no more disputing it:...

—Mark Hemingway

Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 200 words. Comments that advocate violence, racism, or libel as well as comments written in ALL CAPS are not permitted.

Home News Politics Local Opinion Economy Sports Lifestyle	Classified Cars Homes Rentals Remodel
Nation World Beltway Confidential Yeas & Nays Opinion Zone Capital Land Weather Mobile Site RSS Feeds Contact
Nation World Science Education Video Technology
Beltway Confidential Yeas & Nays White House Congress Michael Barone Byron York Chris Stirewalt
Capital Land DC Virginia Maryland Local Opinion Zone Crime Transportation People Education Real Estate
Editorials Beltway Confidential OpinionZone Nate Beeler Columnists Mark Tapscott Dave Freddoso Mark Hemingway
Your Money Real Estate Technology K-Street
Cheers & Jeers Redskins/NFL Wizards/NBA Caps/NHL Nationals/MLB United/MLS Colleges Golf
Yeas & Nays Art Movies Television Health Food Music Scoop Theater Wheels Video Events Calendar
Jobs Buy Stuff Post Free Ad Personals Events
Automotive News New Used Certified Pre-Owned
Real Estate News Rent a Home Buy a Home Home Makeover

Scozzafava calls cops on reporter who asked her about Card Check UPDATED!

By: Mark Tapscott Editorial Page Editor 10/20/09 6:43 AM EDT

More from Mark Tapscott

Topics

Follow The Examiner

Reader Comments

By: Mark Tapscott
Editorial Page Editor
10/20/09 6:43 AM EDT