N.Y. congressman apologizes after threatening to throw reporter off balcony

[meegbear]

Source: politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com

After first defending his actions, Rep. Michael Grimm, R-New York, apologized Wednesday for physically threatening a NY1 News reporter at the Capitol.

"I was wrong. I shouldn't have allowed my emotions to get the better of me and lose my cool," Grimm said in a statement. "I have apologized to Michael Scotto, which he graciously accepted, and will be scheduling a lunch soon."

Scotto, the reporter, confirmed that he spoke with Grimm Wednesday morning.

It started when Grimm, who's under investigation by the Justice Department for illegal fundraising during his 2010 campaign, walked away from an on-camera interview Tuesday night after the State of the Union address. Grimm stormed off when Scotto tried to ask him questions about the campaign finance allegations.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/29/new-york-congressman-threatens-to-throw-reporter-off-balcony/

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Sucks being caught on tape acting like a dick.

[Oakenshield]

1. You're a master of understatement.

He was acting like a sociopath.

[2banon]

5. He seems to define the term Sociopath.

Unreal. In an uncorrupt system, he would be facing some serious charges right now. In an uncorrupt system, he wouldn't have won a second term while being investigated for campaign fraud and other allegations mentioned in this report.

[hue]

18. Grimm wasn't "acting" he IS a sociopath.

[Oakenshield]

23. Good point.

[hrmjustin]

2. link to Domenic Recchia, his democratic opponent response.

http://politicker.com/2014/01/democrats-pile-on-michael-grimm-controversy/

[Cha]

28. As well they should "pile on".. what were they suppose

to do? Zip their collective lip.. so no one criticized Michael Grimm for his atrocious actions?

I don't think so.

thanks Justin.

[jwirr]

3. Unfortunately Congressman it can be forgiven by the reporter who is the victim but that does not

change the fact to the US voter that you did this. It shows your lack of character and moral values that is not a subject for forgiveness it is a fact we the voters need to know about you.

[Botany]

4. Guess excuse # 1 didn't fly.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024406647

I was extremely annoyed because I was doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests. The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic. I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect, especially when I go out of my way to do that reporter a favor. I doubt that I am the first Member of Congress to tell off a reporter, and I am sure I won’t be the last.

*******

Threatening to break somebody in half and then killing him by throwing him off a balcony and then
telling him that he wasn't man enough to stop him shows the signs of being a bully.

[hrmjustin]

15. The only favor he did was to his opponent.

[1StrongBlackMan]

19. And the height of ...

the "professionalism and respect" that he expects.

[passiveporcupine]

24. This

:lol:

He is also showing that he is afraid of the charges, which means he's most likely guilty.

[KamaAina]

6. Well, now we know why his fairy tales are so dark.

Good thing his brother isn't in Congress.

[durablend]

7. Cue Republicans threatening a ban on...

VIDEO TAPE!

[jsr]

8. Only government cameras will be allowed

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

9. congressman apologizes

Sure. Right. Whatever.

Republicon apology = Sorry that their (insert repulsive despicable deeds or words) were noticed, recorded and reported. Never actually remorseful over what they said or did. NEVER.

[deminks]

10. Has he been fundraising off his little escapade?

He seems to be into creative fundraising, IMHO. I heard a pundit last night say that behavior like this can raise millions.

[VWolf]

11. "I'm sorry I got caught on video"

Yeah, we've all heard it before.

Unfit for office, IMHO.

[Aldo Leopold]

12. I'm sick of these non-apology apologies from the party of "personal responsibility"!

[magical thyme]

13. guess he woke up and realized if he wants to succeed in politics

it really doesn't help to threaten and make enemies of the press. They can make you or break you. Oh, and he wasn't doing the reporter any favors. The reporter was doing him a favor by giving him airtime.

Too bad for him it's all over you-tube. Coming from the GOP, the apology is nothing short of amazing, though.

[hue]

14. Apology NOT accepted since all Grimm really cares about is his own fr'cn image...

[grantcart]

16. This should be a pick up for us.

Obama took the district 53-47 and Grimm won 53-47.

[Octafish]

17. Not good enough.

Resign. Then, if you're cleared at trial, run again.

[yellowcanine]

20. Orange Man must have weighed in. Doubt that Grimm would have apologized otherwise.

Since it happened at the SOTU Orange Man is in charge and supposedly responsible for the decorum of the proceedings.

[alp227]

21. Fitting last name if not for the extra M nt

[santamargarita]

22. Take your apology and stick up your sorry right-wing ass!

[Enrique]

25. wow, lunch with Michael Grimm

what a treat for that reporter.

[SouthernDonkey]

26. Lets see

IF Michael Scotto has a hair on his ass, when he shows up at the lunch, he will have a camera crew and a microphone and the first thing out of his mouth will be the same question he posed to the asshole in the Capitol Rotunda! That's what I'm saying. That's what a Mike Wallace or a Dan Rather would have done!

[moondust]

27. As I suspected,

Grimm has apparently been hiding from the media so he wouldn't have to answer questions about the scandal.

[red dog 1]

29. Grimm's Fairy Tales

I hope DOJ gets him good!

[yurbud]

30. the part of his threat that caught my attention was "break you like a little boy"

What the fuck is that?

Doesn't it sound like some kind of Freudian slip, confession some past crime or sexual fantasy?