Gingrich Staffers Attack Ron Paul Supporter in Florida
Yahoo News reports that Newt Gingrich staffers stomped on the flip-flop-wearing feet of a sign-toting Ron Paul supporter in Windermere, a small town outside of Orlando:
Noticing the awkward optics, Gingrich aides and security personnel swarmed Dillard, trying to intimidate him into moving. One of Gingrich's security agents stepped in front of him. When Dillard didn't budge, the agent lifted his heeled shoe over Dillard's bare foot and dug the back of it into his skin, twisting it side-to-side like he was stomping out a cigarette. Shocked, Dillard kept his ground and took a picture of the agent with his phone, which was quickly knocked out of his hand. Dillard slipped off his flip-flop to pick up the phone with his foot, and a Gingrich supporter kicked the sandal away.
"Don't kick me!" Dillard said to the man who knocked away his sandal. More members of Gingrich's security retinue approached, shoving their shoulders and chests in front of him.
"Just block him!" a Gingrich campaign aide said. "Everyone step on his toes!"
In response, Jesse Benton of the Ron Paul campaign issued the following statement:
They say the culture of an organization is a reflection of its top executive and today's deplorable behavior against Ron Paul supporter Eddie Dillard in Florida reflects very poorly on Congressman Gingrich.
I call on Congressman Gingrich to publicly apologize to Mr. Dillard.
In addition, we ask that those Gingrich campaign staff directly involved in the episode be immediately terminated.
There is simply no excuse for the type of violent, boorish and abusive behavior demonstrated by Mr. Gingrich's campaign. We hope Mr. Gingrich understands this and takesthe actions we recommend.
