All Greg Gianforte needed to do was coast. As a Republican running in dark red Montana during a special congressional election, it seemed like he was ahead in the race Wednesday night. And then for no particularly good reason, Gianforte decided to body slam a reporter.
In an episode more reminiscent of WrestleMania than everyday American politics, Fox News reports that when Ben Jacobs of the Guardian tried asking a question, Gianforte grabbed the reporter “by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him.”
The night ended with the Republican fleeing the scene and the reporter driving to the hospital in the back of an ambulance. Headed to the polls Thursday morning, Montana’s electorate must decide between Democrat candidate Rob Quist and a Republican with a misdemeanor assault charge.
One could reasonably expect that violence against the press would sway the election. In America, voters pick their leader with ballots rather than bullets and politicians respond to questions with sound bites instead of body slams. But the craziest thing about the entire episode is that Gianforte still has a shot at winning.
Reuters reports that 37 percent of the state’s almost 700,000 registered voters have already cast absentee ballots. Considering the facts that a Democrat hasn’t held the seat since 1993 and that Donald Trump swept the state by 20 points, it’s more than possible that Montana will send another Republican to Congress, criminal charges notwithstanding.
But before Gianforte goes to Washington, the Republican should prepare himself. Capitol Hill reporting isn’t exactly a blood sport but it’s no picnic either. Dogged journalists stake out offices, set ambushes in elevators and teardown hallways to get after tightlipped congressmen.
And after watching the brutalization of Jacobs, the press corps won’t be wearing kid gloves. Does this guy really want two years conducting town halls and walking the halls of the U.S. Capitol?
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
