Ryan Calls On Gianforte to Apologize for Assault, Says Election up to Montana Voters

From: NBC News

 House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday called on Republican Greg Gianforte to apologize after he was charged with assaulting a reporter, but said he will leave it up to Montana voters to decide whether they want him to serve in Congress.

"I do not think this is acceptable behavior, but the choice will be made by the people of Montana," Ryan said during a press conference. "I think he should apologize."

A Montana sheriff charged Gianforte with misdemeanor assault Wednesday night after Guardian journalist Ben Jacobs said the politician "body slammed" him at a campaign event in Bozeman while the reporter tried to ask a question.

The incident occurred hours before polls opened Thursday in the high-profile race between Gianforte and Democrat Rob Quist for the state's open House seat.

Democrats immediately demanded Gianforte withdraw from the race, while three of the state's largest newspapers rescinded their endorsements of the GOP candidate.

But a defiant Gianforte portrayed himself as the victim, with a spokesperson blaming the "aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist."

Republicans for the most part stood by Gianforte, with several telling reporters he would be welcome on Capitol Hill.

"We all make mistakes," said Ohio GOP Rep. Steve Stivers, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. "From what I know of Greg Gianforte, this was totally out of character."

Montana Sen. Steve Daines, one of Gianforte's biggest supporters, called on the candidate to apologize and said he would leave it up to law enforcement. "I do not condone violence in any way," he said.

A source close to the Gianforte campaign told NBC News they raised over $100,000 online in the 24 hours, with most of the donations coming after the incident.

Jacobs told MSNBC's Chris Hayes that he was trying to ask Gianforte about the Congressional Budget Office's financial analysis of the Republican health care plan when "the next thing I know, I'm being body-slammed."

"He's on top of me. My glasses are broken," Jacobs said. "It's the strangest moment that's happened in my entire life reporting."

Jacobs' claims were supported by an audio recording of the event and an eyewitness account by a Fox News crew that happened to be in the same room.

Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) May 24, 2017

Sheriff Brian Gootkin held a press conference Thursday afternoon to say the matter had now been turned over the country prosecutor ahead of Gianforte's June 7 court date and that the incident did not merit a felony assault charge because Jacobs "was not seriously injured."

Gootkin also said Gianforte refused to give a statement to authorities and was never arrested.

"He left the scene and deputies were busy talking to witnesses and the victim," added Gootkin, who also dismissed questions about potential conflicts of interest after it was revealed he had donated $250 to Gianforte's campaign.

In a statement, Shane Scanlon, a spokesman for Gianforte's campaign, alleged that Jacobs started the kerfuffle when he crashed an interview the Republican candidate was preparing to give to another media outlet.

"It's unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ," he said.

Jacobs dismissed that version of events. "The only thing in the Gianforte statement that is factually correct is my name and my place of employment," Jacobs said on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

In a statement, Lee Glendinning, The Guardian's U.S. editor, said that the newspaper was "deeply appalled" and that "we stand by Ben."

Gianforte sitting in a Jeep. Sheriff's deputies were talking to him earlier. Now a medic is at the window talking with him. #bdcnews #mtal pic.twitter.com/JsT4tTYt82

— Whitney Bermes (@wabermes) May 24, 2017

Polls in the race have consistently shown Gianforte favored to retain the statewide congressional seat vacated by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Quist, a folk singer, has come within striking distance thanks to an outpouring of money and energy from Democrats desperate to score a victory against Trump.

But the incident likely came too late to have any major impact on Thursday's election, since up to two-thirds of voters are estimated to have already cast a ballot in the race.

The front pages voters in Montana are waking up to on Election Day. pic.twitter.com/gaR7gGbOMM

— Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) May 25, 2017

Quist has so far said little about his opponent's physical altercation. "I'm just focused on the issues that are facing the people of Montana," he told reporters during a final campaign stop Wednesday night.

But other Democrats tried to capitalize on the moment. Several party-aligned groups have been running Facebook advertisements on the incident aimed at Montanans who may not yet have voted.

Democratic National Committee Deputy Chair Keith Ellison told NBC News Gianforte should withdraw from the race so he can "focus on his legal problems."

In audio of the confrontation posted to YouTube by The Guardian, a voice said to be Gianforte's asks Jacobs to speak with an aide. Then loud crashing sounds can be heard.

"I'm sick and tired of you guys! The last time you came in here you did the same thing. Get the hell out of here! Get the hell out of here!" the man yells.

So I was there for this - still am https://t.co/tgjOCYErFi

— Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) May 24, 2017

Gianforte and Jacobs have a history: Last month, Jacobs reported that Gianforte owns about $250,000 in shares in two index funds that have investments in Russian companies that are under U.S. sanctions.

CORRECTION (May 25, 2017, 8:10 a.m.): An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that President Donald Trump visited Montana to support Greg Gianforte's campaign. The president has not done so, but his son, Donald Trump Jr., has.

Montana Republican Congressional Candidate Greg Gianforte Charged With Assaulting Reporter

From: Boy Culture

Gianforte had been under pressure in the tightening race

Just a day before a closely watched special election in Montana — in a race he had been leading by single digits, meaning it was far too close a race in a deep-red district — Republican Greg Gianforte allegedly body-slammed a Guardian reporter in an attack described by the victim and a Fox News crew as “a shocking assault.”

In fact, Gianforte has been charged with assault, leading several prominent papers to withdraw their endorsements.

Even if he wins — 2/3 of Montanans have already cast ballots — he's still facing legal jeopardy for his alleged actions.

Gianforte's challenger is political neophyte (and banjo-strumming bluegrass musician) Rob Quist.

Greg Gianforte, Montana GOP House Candidate in Special Election, Body Slams Reporter: LISTEN

From: Towelroad

Greg Gianforte, the Republican House candidate running in Montana’s special election, body slammed Ben Jacobs, a political reporter for The Guardian, after Jacobs entered a room where a FOX News crew was setting up for an interview.

He was later charged with misdemeanor assault. Three Montana newspapers have pulled their endorsements of Gianforte.

It’s unclear what effect this will have on the election, which is today. 7 of 10 Montana voters have already voted absentee.

Listen to the incident:

The FOX News reporter Alicia Acuna, wrote a firsthand account of the incident:

Faith, Keith and I arrived early to set up for the interview in a room adjacent to another room where a volunteer BBQ was to take place. As the time for the interview neared, Gianforte came into the room. We exchanged pleasantries and made small talk about restaurants and Bozeman.

During that conversation, another man — who we now know is Ben Jacobs of The Guardian — walked into the room with a voice recorder, put it up to Gianforte’s face and began asking if him if he had a response to the newly released Congressional Budget Office report on the American Health Care Act. Gianforte told him he would get to him later. Jacobs persisted with his question. Gianforte told him to talk to his press guy, Shane Scanlon.

At that point, Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him. Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the man, as he moved on top the reporter and began yelling something to the effect of “I’m sick and tired of this!”

Jacobs scrambled to his knees and said something about his glasses being broken. He asked Faith, Keith and myself for our names. In shock, we did not answer. He then said he wanted the police called and went to leave. Gianforte looked at the three of us and repeatedly apologized. At that point, I told him and Scanlon, who was now present, that we needed a moment. The men then left.

The FOX crew says they saw no aggression from Jacobs during the incident. More Here.

Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) May 24, 2017

Gianforte's statement: pic.twitter.com/WVNdA1yZ8w

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) May 25, 2017

The Guardian adds:

The Gallatin County sheriff’s office is investigating.

A statement by campaign spokesman Shane Scanlon blamed Jacobs for the altercation, saying that he “entered the office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg’s face, and began asking badgering questions”.

“Jacobs was asked to leave,” the statement reads. “After asking Jacobs to lower the recorder, Jacobs declined. Greg then attempted to grab the phone that was pushed in his face. Jacobs grabbed Greg’s wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground.

“It’s unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ.”

Scanlon’s account appears to be contradicted by audio of the abortive interview recorded by Jacobs. The audio does not capture Jacobs being asked to leave or lower his recorder, but does contain an apparent reference to the Guardian’s previous attempts to report on Gianforte. “I’m sick and tired of you guys,” Gianforte said. “The last guy who came here did the same thing. Get the hell out of here. Get the hell out of here. The last guy did the same thing. Are you with the Guardian?”

Reporter alleges Greg Gianforte ‘body slammed’ him in Bozeman

From: Bozeman Daily Chronicle

On the night before a hotly contested special election, law enforcement responded to the campaign headquarters for Montana U.S. House candidate Greg Gianforte after a national political reporter alleged the Republican “body slammed” him, sending a last-minute shock wave through the race.

The reporter, Ben Jacobs of The Guardian, claimed on Twitter that he was assaulted by Gianforte.

“Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses,” Jacobs tweeted.

Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) May 24, 2017

In an emailed statement, Shane Scanlon, spokesman for the Gianforte campaign, gave a different account of what happened.

“Tonight, as Greg was giving a separate interview in a private office, The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs entered the office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg’s face, and began asking badgering questions. Jacobs was asked to leave. After asking Jacobs to lower the recorder, Jacobs declined,” Scanlon said.

“Greg then attempted to grab the phone that was pushed in his face. Jacobs grabbed Greg’s wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground. It’s unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ.”

Audio of the encounter posted by the Guardian to YouTube confirmed some sort of confrontation.

According to an audio clip, Jacobs asked Gianforte a question about health care. Gianforte told Jacobs to speak with his campaign spokesman.

Then, a loud crashing is heard, after which Gianforte said, “I’m sick and tired of you guys. The last guy that came in here, you did the same thing. Get the hell out of here!”

“Get the hell out of here,” he repeated. “The last guy did the same thing. You with the Guardian?”

“Yes,” Jacobs replied. “You just broke my glasses.”

“The last guy did the same damn thing,” Gianforte said.

“You just body slammed me and broke my glasses,” Jacobs said.

“Get the hell out here,” Gianforte said.

“If you’d like me to get the hell out of here, I’d also like to call the police,” Jacobs said.

A Fox News Channel crew was at the scene and posted a story on the Fox News website.

“Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him ... I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the man, as he moved on top the reporter and began yelling something to the effect of ‘I’m sick and tired of this!’” a Fox News reporter wrote in the story.

Jacobs was evaluated in an ambulance at the scene and taken to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital, according to the Hyalite Fire Department.

He left the hospital at approximately 7:25 p.m. in a sheriff’s office vehicle. He was wearing a sling around his arm. He refused to comment on the incident.

Gianforte was seen sitting in a vehicle near his campaign headquarters during the incident and had been speaking with Gallatin County deputies. Medical responders provided initial care to him at the scene. The candidate left the scene shortly before 6 p.m. without speaking to reporters.

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin said witnesses are still being interviewed, including Jacobs. Investigators also have interviewed Gianforte. He added his office has retrieved the audio from Jacobs and has been in contact with Gallatin County Atttorney Marty Lambert.

He said charges were not filed at the scene because investigators didn’t have enough information at the time. He said the detective division is treating the case like any other investigation.

“After this week, this is the last thing we needed,” Gootkin said, referring to the shooting death and funeral of Broadwater County Sheriff’s Deputy Mason Mooore.

Gootkin said no other agency is helping with the investigation.

Alexis Levinson, a reporter for Buzzfeed News, told MSNBC that she had given a statement to the sheriff’s office. In tweets and on air, she said she saw Jacobs go into a room where Gianforte was.

“I heard the crash and saw his feet fly,” she told MSNBC live on the air.

All of a sudden I heard a giant crash and saw Ben's feet fly in the air as he hit the floor

— Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) May 24, 2017

The campaign event, a barbecue, continued at the campaign headquarters without Gianforte.

Jacobs was asking Gianforte for his position on the U.S. House health care vote

Gianforte had told reporters he wouldn’t support the House version of the repeal of Obamacare. He said he’d wait to take a position until he had more information, including the Congressional Budget Office report, which was published Wednesday afternoon.

The same day the New York Times posted audio of Gianforte talking to Republican lobbyists, saying he was “thankful” the Republican version of the bill had passed the House.

His opponent, Democrat Rob Quist, has been hammering Gianforte for the seeming inconsistency.

Hours after the incident, national news cable outlets such as CNN, MSNBC and others reported on the incident. Talk show pundits also debated and analyzed the incident live on the air for hours. Gootkin later joined Don Lemon on CNN for a live interview. Jacobs also provided a national TV interview.

The Guardian later released a statement on the incident.

“The Guardian is deeply appalled about how our reporter, Ben Jacobs, was treated in the course of doing his job as a journalist while reporting on the Montana special election. We are committed to holding power to account and we stand by Ben and our team of reporters for the questions they ask and the reporting that is produced,” said Lee Glendinning, Guardian U.S. editor.

Rob Saldin, a political science professor at the University of Montana, said the incident could be a sign that the Gianforte campaign is worried about what Thursday’s result may be.

“This is extremely bizarre behavior for a candidate in the final hours of a campaign,” Saldin said. “A lot of things have been going wrong for the Gianforte campaign. This was supposed to be an easy win. If they’re feeling totally confident today, I just don’t see this kind of thing happening.”

Saldin called the incident “totally nuts,” but he added that most people have already voted. He said some voters might support this sort of behavior, especially because Gianforte has tied himself so closely to Trump.

Jeremy Johnson, a political science professor at Carroll College, said the incident may not have a major impact on the race because so many absentee ballots have been turned in. He added that it could swing some voters who were on the fence up to the very last day.

Johnson said there might be some Republican voters who will sympathize with the candidate, but that the incident is most likely to help his Democratic opponent.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Johnson said. “It will not help Gianforte.”

Gay Couple Assaulted Outside Bar in Missoula, Montana

From: kenneth in the (212)

I've read about hundreds of these attacks yet a new one never ceases to send chills down my spine.
Can't imagine the terror of experiencing something like this,
with total strangers punching you and screaming homophobic slurs.
Read HERE.

Beyond The White House: Six Races You Need To Follow

The election season sees the most diverse array of LGBT candidates in history.
From: NewNowNext

 We’re less than a week away from Election Day, and while the media spotlight has deservedly been on the presidential race, there are numerous congressional races of importance to the LGBT community, as well.

This campaign season sees a diverse array of LGBT candidates—including the first trans candidates for Congress, and gay Republicans running in both Arizona and Connecticut.

Below, we spotlight six candidates making an impact in their states—and potentially in the nation.

For more on LGBT candidates across America, visit Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

 Angie Craig

With a background in journalism and health care, Craig is running to replace Minnesota Rep. John Kline, who is retiring.

Of all the LGBT newcomers, Craig, 49, has the best shot at winning: KSTP/SurveyUSA poll puts her ahead of her controversial Republican opponent, Jason Lewis, 46% to 41%.

Not only would that make her only the third gay congresswoman in U.S. history., it would help the Democrats retake a seat in the House that the GOP has held for over a decade.

 Craig, who is married with two kids, is billing herself as the candidate who cares about both business and families.

“I know what it’s like to be in a family that feels trapped by low skills without the means to pay for an education that would be key to advancing,” she wrote in an op-ed in the Star Tribune.

“That’s precisely why I’m so focused on public-private partnerships that help bridge the skills gap.”

 Matt Heinz

Heinz, an emergency physician, has a tougher slog in his House race: He’s an openly gay man running against a Republican incumbent in a state that’s a GOP stronghold.

He’s also deeply connected to one of President Obama’s most contentious programs, having worked with the Department of Health and Human Services with the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act, especially in reaching out to the LGBT community.

 In a September poll of 400 likely voters, Rep. Martha McSally enjoyed a double-digit lead, 56% to 37%. But McSally’s conservative record on social issues, including her support for legislation that would allow federal contractors to fire people because they are gay, could turn off voters in the Grand Canyon State.

And while Arizona as a whole is red, the 2nd congressional district, which encompasses most of Tuscon, has switched hands between Democratic and GOP representation numerous times. When McSally won her seat in 2014, it was by less than 200 votes.

 Denise Juneau

Running for Montana’s lone House seat, Juneau would be the first lesbian Native American in Congress.

She’s got her work cut out for her against incumbent Rep. Ryan Zinke, but exactly how much work is questionable: A poll touted by Zinke in October showed he had a 49-38 lead over his Democratic challenger. But a Harstad Strategic Research poll from September 20 shows he’s only ahead 45-42.

Juneau hopes getting out the Native vote will turn the tide in her favor.

“You can dress me up, you can put me in high-heeled slippers, but I’m still an Indian, no matter what,” she told MTV. “I’m a candidate, I’ve been elected statewide twice, and I happen to be a candidate who happens to be American Indian, who happens to be a woman, who happens to be openly gay. It’s all a bonus. I think that gets people excited.”

 Misty Plowright

Along with Misty Snow (below), Plowright is one of the first trans women to win a congressional primary. She now faces GOP Rep. Doug Lamborn in Colorado’s fifth district.

Plowright, a 33-year-old Army veteran who works in IT, is running on a platform of supporting veterans, reforming education and restructuring the tax system. She did well against her Democratic challengers but has raised only $11,000 compared to Lamborn’s $500,000. Adding to her long odds at a win is the fact that Colorado Springs is considered the state’s most conservative district.

“He’s completely ignoring me,” Plowright told the Denver Post of her opponent, who has refused to attend any debates or town halls. “It’s almost like he thinks that seat is his by divine right.”

 Her best hope, say insiders, is that female voters turned off by Trump’s misogyny will reject Republicans down the ticket, as well.

But even if she doesn’t win, Misty is “stirring something” within the voters, as she puts it—putting a face to the transgender community and paving the way for the first trans person in Congress.

“I went to the school of hard knocks at the university of life,” she told the Post. “I’ve been underestimated my entire life. Well, I’m still here and I’m still going.”

 Misty Snow

The other trans congressional candidate, Snow is up against Tea Party favorite Sen. Mike Lee in Utah. And like Plowright, she faces an uphill battle.

A 30-year-old resident of Salt Lake City, she was a grocery clerk before running in the primary, which she won handily. But she’s polling 39 points behind Lee, who has more than $1 million in campaign contributions, compared to Snow’s $8,000. And the last time Utah sent a Democrat to the Senate was more than four decades ago.

 But Snow utilizing her youth as a strength, texting messages to 18-25-year-old voters about electing the first millennial to the U.S. Senate. Her platform is pretty progressive, too: Increasing the minimum wage, decriminalizing marijuana, enacting paid family leave and reforming the criminal justice system.

“One of the things that really got me running was [that] I feel like there are a lot of issues that affect the working class that don’t get a voice in Washington,” she told KUER.

 Clay Cope

A former marketing executive for QVC, Cope is running for Congress in Connecticut’s 5th District. What makes him noteworthy? He’s an out-and-proud gay man—and a Republican.

Cope, 53, describes himself as a fiscal conservative who favors deregulation and a free-market economy. He’s endorsing Trump, another businessman-turned-politician: “I used to say ABC—anybody but Clinton—but now I say vote for Trump,” he told NBC.

His is a fairly moderate district, so his sexuality hasn’t ruffled many feathers. In fact, being a Republican in true-blue New England is a bigger hurdle, as he’s got to unseat twice-elected Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Esty.

According to his campaign site, Cope’s goals in Congress include “a balanced federal budget, lower federal taxes and spending—along with meaningful immigration reform, effective border security, and improved national security.”

Born in Texas, Cope is currently First Selectman in the town of Sherman, where he lives with his partner, Andres Sanchez.