Mike Stark Assaulted by George Allen Supporters/Staffers

by Matt Stoller, Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 01:39:34 PM EST

Reports are coming in that George Allen staffers attacked Mike Stark when Stark tried to ask him some questions after an event.  

As Senator Allen was exiting a ballroom, coming to talk to the media, a protestor started yelling and asking, "Why did you spit on your first wife?". He wasn't able to get near the senator as he was tackled by three men wearing Allen stickers, presumed to be staffers. He was pushed and manhandled and ended up on the floor, near windows at the Omni.

There's video on the site, but it's not very good. (It's on Youtube, and the footage is crazy).  More should be coming as there was press all over the place.  This was not a protest, the Allen people just attacked him.

Not a good move to have your campaign assaulting voters, Senator.




Tags: George Allen, Jim Webb, Virginia, Senate (all tags)

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Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George (3.00 / 1)

Unless Allen screws up the spin (and given that he can't spell cat if you spot him the K and the A, this is entirely possible) I doubt this will hurt him... Too easy to spin it as the staffers saw this angry person and thought he was a danger to the candidate and wanted to be safe rather than sorry.  Apologize to Mike Stark, but have staffers say they will always protect Allen, who they admire more than anyone and you diffuse the situation and possibly turn it into a positive.  

Yes it was wrong and despicable, but easy to spin unless you are a moron.  SO I give Allen a 50-50 shot to screw it up.  


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:34:17 PM EST

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George (none / 0)

Agreed.

If Allen went nuts, it would have been one thing, but staffers overreacting won't be seen as a big deal.


by Bush Bites on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:45:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George (none / 0)

if we play this right, he'll be on defense for 1 or 2 media cycles


John McCain is dishonest
by dereau on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:58:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George (none / 0)

Oh definately take a shot at it... I just don't think it pans into much.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 03:16:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

From the video (none / 0)

It appears to me that Mike has grounds to file an assault charge against at least the man who threw him to the ground and into the window. He was making no move toward the Seantor or the man in question at that point, and it appears to be an unwarrented use of force.

I don't know about Virginia law, but in Tennessee, I've seen people arrested for less violent behavior.


Melissa Hart is gone - thank you Chris Bowers
by surfbird007 on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 05:20:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: From the video (none / 0)

Unless they claim it was trespassing, like the Bushies constantly did in 2004.  I feel bad for the guy (and amazed the old guy wrestled him to the ground as well), and don't think it should have happened, and while he might win a case, I doubt he would get a lot in punitive damages in this case.  


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 05:52:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: From the video (none / 0)

Mike has since chosen to press charges, which is a good move. He really doesn't need any punitive damages, just the assault on these men's records and Allen's lack of moral character in the news yet again.

I suspect the men will get off with some reduced charge in the end, but that's not going to be Mike primary goal, imo.


Melissa Hart is gone - thank you Chris Bowers
by surfbird007 on Wed Nov 01, 2006 at 07:36:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I love Mike and all..... (none / 0)

but isn't this something we'd frown upon if it happened to one of our candidates. Before I proceed, let me say this - I DON'T THINK DEMOCRATIC STAFFERS WOULD HAVE REACTED VIOLENTLY AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY OUT OF BOUNDS TO ASSAULT ANYONE. I am commenting on Mike's actions and not saying he was asking for it or anything close. I am focused on his actions alone.

How would you react if someone asked Webb a very personal question without proof to back up the claim? Isn't this something we frown upon? Insinuating character flaws by merely throwing the idea out there. No one knows whats in Allen's divorce records and nobody should. If his ex-wife chooses to speak out, that entirely different. Digging into people's private lives or throwing out outrageous questions merely sow seeds of doubt is something we should frown upon. I am not proud of this incident, even it does suggest that interviewing Allen requires the body armor he voted against sending the troops.


by crazymoloch on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 03:20:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George (none / 0)

Neal, watch footage of different security situations.  Watch the guys who run on the field during a football game or baseball game... I saw footage of a guy who took a Baton to the face at Florida state several years ago...  Watch footage of cops or secret service during presidential campaigns.  They take people down HARD.  I am not saying it was warranted... I am just saying that there is a LOT of precedent... in the security world the safety of the person being protected is most important... they would rather take down an innocent person than to let a guilty person get to the protected person.  Better safe than sorry. They may have panicked, yes.  But any mediocre spin doctor can spin this into nothing.  Try, but don't be disappointed if it pans into nothing.  We should focus on other stuff in the race... The Sister over the railing is interesting... Had not heard that before.  


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 03:30:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George (none / 0)

She's a reporter and she recently wrote a book describing, among other things, what a violent bully Allen was at home.  That's one reason people are curious about what is in the divorce records.


by prince myshkin on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 05:33:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George (none / 0)

You have some good points. However, consider that in the circumstance of streakers on a football field, they are (1) breaking the law, (2) taken down hard for the purpose of effectuating an arrest, and (3) taken down by police with the legal authority to use force, and broad legal immunity.

John Stark broke no laws nor presented any threat of violence, and was not arrested. The men who took him down apparently were not police.

I am glad to see that he is pressing charges against them. I also hope he files a civil case. If those men actually work for the George Allen campaign (and not cops), George Allen's campaign is vicariously liable for their actions.

The precedent that I'd like to see established is the campaign being liable for the assaults carried out by their staff against protestors. This would temper their swagger. Sometimes, these political campaigns (both Democratic and Republican) think they can beat up anyone they disagree with.


by bushsucks on Wed Nov 01, 2006 at 05:05:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's assault (none / 0)

and Mike is filing charges with the police. I've seen 3 video's from different angles now and at no time does Mike get violent or physical in anyway. He is then assaulted and thrown to the ground by thugs. He is almost put through a plate glass window head first.

It is assault.

This does not go away with an apology.


The 10,000 Things
by Andrew C White on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 06:29:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George Allen Supporter (none / 0)

Sue. Call the press.

This was not a fight - Mike was assaulted by Allen staffers.  

This was not a protest - it was after the event, as Allen was meeting & greeting.

Mike must file charges.

Allen must fire these staffers and condemn thuggery.


John McCain is dishonest
by dereau on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:36:51 PM EST

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George Allen Supporter (none / 0)

Stark's site doesn't have anything on this, yet.

Considering the guy is in law school, a suit might be a bit too disruptive for his life right now.  Believe me, the first year of law school sucks up a lot of time.

I wonder, though, if he could find some nice liberal NoVa lawyer to do the suit pro bono...


by dansomone on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 03:02:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Allen is this (none / 0)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq2RU3ScZ EM


John McCain is dishonest
by dereau on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 03:58:57 PM EST

George Allen Supporters/Staffers (none / 0)

I can see the headlines:  

"Netroots tackled by Methuselah"

This doesn't make either side look good.  Brainy young trespasser taken down by an old man from Allen's staff.  Good lord what has this race come down to lol


by MyDD Fan on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 06:43:08 PM EST

Re: Mike Stark Assaulted by George Allen Supporter (none / 0)

A couple notes, for what they are worth:

Assuming that the people who tackled Stark with Allen "staffers" is a bold assumption -- George was a long time resident of Albemarle County, and this was a private party not a public campaign event that Stark tried to crash -- likely, these were partisans  untrained in either security, or guerilla tactics.

I suspect that Stark knew precisely what reaction he hoped to provoke, and he has been 'rewarded' for his good planning.

Good luck to Stark trying to get authorities, and a judge, to take him seriously.  You can spin the footage however you want -- nobody's buying what's being sold.

Lest you think that I am a partisan of Allen's, take solace in the fact that regardless of how next Tuesday turns out, George will lose in Albemarle County... ponder that... a majority Republican, conservative, well-to-do district... where Allen made his home... who Allen represented in Congress... will vote him down.  Why is that?

Well, because WE KNOW GEORGE.

(By the way, the violent, bully stuff is crap -- everybody's sister says that about their brother -- even mine, and I don't have one.)

He is a crude man propped up by influential friends.  He delights in private telling grossly offensive jokes -- about women, blacks, gays, teachers, farmers, Hokies, Democrats.  He is arrogant, and barely "tolerates" his constituency.  The cowboy boots, chewing tobacco, and spitoon are an act -- this is a displaced California boy cultivating a faux image.

It is fairly well known that young George was a philandering, verbally abusive husband to his first wife, who did not share his political aspirations.

Better that this George self-destruct now, than later.


by erics on Wed Nov 01, 2006 at 09:53:37 PM EST


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