Clark Staffer Attacked (in Detroit)

Lansing State Journal ^ | 02/07/04 | Stacey Range

[Kieri]

Clark staffer attacked

Gen. Wesley Clark's Michigan campaign got a firsthand taste this week of Detroit's crime problem.

State spokesman Jonathon Beeton was mugged Tuesday outside the Coney Island across the street from campaign headquarters. He had just picked up a take-out order when a man who had been inside the restaurant cornered him outside. The man shoved him against the wall and ripped open his pants pocket to steal Beeton's wallet. Then the man hooked his legs behind Beeton's and pushed him to the ground. Beeton said he suffered minor cuts on his head and back but otherwise was fine.

"It happened so fast I didn't really know what we going on," Beeton said.

Two campaign workers saw the attack from across the street. They called 911, but the mugger got away. He took Beeton's wallet, which contained $5 and a photograph his wife had given him when they started dating 11 years ago.

The agony didn't end there. With the week so busy, Beeton didn't have time to get another pair of pants before heading out to a campaign event that night, complete with ripped pants.

He did, however, manage to slip in a plug for Clark when explaining the ordeal.

"I didn't really need to be the victim of crime to understand that there are problems being ignored by this administration," he said. "Gen. Clark wouldn't ignore them if he was president."

[Kieri]

I felt bad for the staffer until I read his parting comment. It was so dang funny and such a classic example of spin I nearly fell of my chair.

[Joe 6-pack]

Given the clintonian associations of Clark, and the parting shot by the staffer, I'd say it's more likely than not that this was staged.

[Kozak]

State spokesman Jonathon Beeton was mugged Tuesday outside the Coney Island across the street from campaign headquarters

And another Conservative is born....

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Oh yeah, like Clark is going to make sure that street punks don't rip pansies pants.

[cripplecreek]

Sounds like political theatre to me.

[MinuteGal]

It's really a refreshing change to read about a guy stealing a politician's money rather than the other way around.

Leni

[cyborg]

taking back his tax money

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Gen. Clark wouldn't ignore them if he was president

Yes, General Clark is a superhero and can leap tall buildings in a single bound......

[sergeantdave]

Clark should teach these muggers a lesson and bomb the Chinese embassy.

[TC Rider]

Two campaign workers saw the attack from across the street. They called 911, but the mugger got away.

Yeah, real support there. I can't believe they called 911, yet the mugger still got away.

[Righty1]

The dumb ass is very lucky to be alive. In Detroit it is common for robbers to kill their prey if they don't have enough cash on them. I never went into detwat unarmed.

[quantim]

Well considering The Weasel tied with Sharpton here (MI) it is probably just another Tawana Brawley cousin sent by Sharpton.

[Howlin]

I was so hoping that it was Chris Lehane who got mugged!

[just me]

LOL.... I was thinking the same thing.

[spectre]

He better keep a closer eye on his money.

He won't have a job in about two weeks.

[Happy2BMe]

"State spokesman Jonathon Beeton was mugged Tuesday outside the Coney Island across the street from campaign headquarters. He had just picked up a take-out order when a man who had been inside the restaurant cornered him outside. The man shoved him against the wall and ripped open his pants pocket to steal Beeton's wallet. Then the man hooked his legs behind Beeton's and pushed him to the ground. Beeton said he suffered minor cuts on his head and back but otherwise was fine."

Was Clark standing inside the restaurant watching the whole thing?

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I was hoping that Chris Lahane got a cap in he ass.

[Happy2BMe]

Heheh . . he hasn't gotten word yet . .

[DeFault User]

Yes, General Clark is a superhero and can leap tall buildings in a single bound......

Batman comes to mind. Hints of the dark side, somewhat Gothic, metro-sexual...."bats in the belfry":