2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumCREW Requests Ethics Investigation Into Michael Grimm Threatening Reporter
CATHERINE THOMPSON JANUARY 29, 2014, 2:20 PM EST
A watchdog group is requesting an investigation into whether Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) violated house rules when he threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony Tuesday night for asking about a federal probe into his campaign finances.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a request for investigation Wednesday with the Office of Congressional Ethics, arguing Grimm went "well beyond the bounds of reasonableness" when he physically threatened NY1 reporter Michael Scotto after the State of the Union address.
The watchdog group's complaint to OCE alleged Grimm's conduct violated House Rule 23, which requires members of the House conduct themselves "at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House." CREW also argued Grimm abused his position in threatening a reporter who was exercising his First Amendment rights and did not provoke him.
"Rep. Grimm's behavior last night was completely unacceptable and reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives," CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said in a statement. "Unfortunately, his total meltdown is in keeping with the congressmans refusal to come clean about the allegations surrounding his shady fundraising practices. Perhaps the pressure of the ongoing federal investigation is finally starting to get to him."
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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/crew_ethics_investigation_request_grimm
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Dem Opponent: Rep. Grimm Is An 'Embarrassment' To District
DANIEL STRAUSS JANUARY 29, 2014, 2:22 PM EST
Rep. Michael Grimm's (R-NY) Democratic challenger is looking to capitalize on his outburst against a reporter he threatened to "break in half" and throw over a balcony railing at the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday night.
In a fundraising email Domenic Recchia, the Democrat seeking to defeat Grimm in the 2014 elections, writes that Grimm's behavior was "unbefitting of a United States Congressman."
"Its time for Michael Grimm to go," Recchia continued in the fundraising pitch. "He continues to be an embarrassment to his district and to his constituents.
A day after Grimm made the physical threats against the NY1 reporter, he apologized. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said Grimm's apology was "appropriate." Top Democrats, meanwhile, continued to criticize the New York congressman.
more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/dem-opponent-rep-grimm-continues-to-be-embarrassment-to-district
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(51,372 posts)Huckabee topped the GOP 2016 contenders in a poll taken after his Uncle Sugar comments.