Obama stalked by Ryan campaign aid

[DaveSZ]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/


(May 21, 2004 -- 12:40 PM EDT // link // print)
Politics is certainly a rough business. And it's common, and understandable, that candidates will often send staffers to videotape or record their opponents' speeches.

But we seem to have an embarrassing new low in the Illinois senate race -- one that might even amount to stalking.

Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate for the open seat and his opponent is Republican Jack Ryan. For the last ten days, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, Ryan has had a campaign staffer, Justin Warfel, follow Obama with a video camera all day.

And I mean, all day.

[phillybri]

1. This is the grown-up version of....

...waving your hand in someone's face and saying "Is this bothering you? I'm not touching you!"...:eyes:

[Lexingtonian]

2. What is the deal?

I mean, doesn't anyone on Obama's staff have some friends of friends that can happen to deal with such harrassment as it deserves, perhaps in some traditional Chicago manner?

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Check out the difference in these photos

Ryan needs to lighten up on the bronzer (or the Photoshop)...



What is he, a chameleon?

[leyton]

4. This is standard practice, nothing to worry about.

A story was recently run in the Charlotte Observer about a guy from Erskine Bowles' campaign (the Democrat running for Senate here) following around Richard Burr (the Republican). Burr always recognizes the guy in the audience, even calls him out good-naturedly sometimes; his supporters take it in stride and are pleasant to the Bowles guy. It's standard procedure and both sides know it.

[wndycty]

5. This is a little different. . .

. . .this guy follows Obama to the bathroom and tapes him as he is on the phone.

[leyton]

6. Ah, you're right.

I shoulda read the article.

[Democat]

7. Ryan had to apologize

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x573378

[fujiyama]

8. Ryan seems like a real

ass. Can't wait to see Obama kick his ass in November.