Posted on 10/18/2004 9:07:18 PM PDT by captain_obvious_returns
A public television debate Sunday night allegedly turned disorderly, leading two candidates in two separate races to file police reports against their opponents. Monday, those accused are speaking out.
News 4 WOAI broke the story Sunday night. U.S. Representative District 20 candidates Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, Roger Scott and a third candidate had just finished an on-camera debate at the KLRN-TV studio, when the executive producer there says he heard a loud altercation off-camera.
That producer told News 4 WOAI the shouting could be heard in the background of another debate already in progress.
Republican candidate Roger Scott told News 4 WOAI he has filed a police report Sunday night alleging Congressman Gonzalez assaulted him after the debate.
"The next thing I know Charlie Gonzalez, who was sitting next to me, had grabbed my arm and started squeezing it," Scott said.
"He was like 'How dare you question my voting record?' and then 'Have you seen my voting record?' I said 'Yes, I've seen your voting record and let go of my arm,'" Scott told News 4 WOAI.
Congressman Gonzalez denies the charges.
"I'm not stupid and I definitely didn't do anything of that nature," Gonzalez told News 4 WOAI Monday.
"I didn't realize he was such a delicate soul," Gonzalez said of Scott. "When you look at the guy (Scott), he probably outweighs me by 60 pounds and is 30 years younger."
Another candidate at the same debate has also filed a report, claiming he was attacked.
Republican Jim Valdez filed a police report against his opponent, Democratic State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, the incumbent for the District 26 seat.
During the debate, Valdez says he challenged Van de Putte about racial allegations she claims another senator made about a year ago. Valdez said Van de Putte was caught off guard by the question and after the debate, he says she pulled him aside. Valdez claims Van de Putte grabbed his clothes and made threatening comments to him.
"If my son and husband gets ahold of you, you're going to be in trouble," Valdez claims Van de Putte told him.
"She let go and then turned around and grabbed me by the lapel again and yanked on my tie," Valdez alleged.
"This time you've crossed the line. When my husband and son get ahold of you, you'll get beaten up," Valdez claimed Van de Putte told him.
Van de Putte faxed News 4 WOAI Monday disputing the allegations.
Van de Putte's statement said, "Any suggestion that I was in any way threatening to Mr. Valdez is ludicrous and only an attempt by him to gain headlines."
It also said, "The biggest threat to Mr. Valdez is his own shameful behavior."
I think we have mass psychosis breaking out across the USA.
Sounds like Democrats being Democrats
Well, obviously.
The 'Pubs need to do what I do at FReeps of leftists and Dems: discreetly carry a small tape recorder and verbalize what's going on such as by saying "let go of my arm."
More evidence that the madness extends from top to bottom in the Bolshevik Party.
My barometer for whether or not the Demonrats are in the process of losing the elections this year is not the polls, but how frequently we hear about Demonrats losing it and going mad.
Therefore, the more incidents like this, the better...
ROTFLMAO!! I love it!
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