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.”
“It’s 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.
“There are times that I don’t like the questions that I am asked but threatening physical violence has never been an appropriate reaction anyone asking me a question I’d rather not answer,” Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) said on MSNBC on Wednesday. “It’s just a reflection on his judgement.”
Read the entire email below:
BREAKING: Last night, Michael Grimm threatened physical violence to intimidate a reporter for asking a question about a new Grimm scandal. This is not the type of leader we need in Washington. It’s time for Grimm to go. Click here to contribute:
Greg – I’m just going to say it. We deserve better. Last night, Michael Grimm threatened physical violence to intimidate a reporter from doing his job. This is deplorable behavior and unbefitting of a United States Congressman.
We shouldn’t have a Congressman who resorts to bullying, threats and even more extreme tactics to get what he wants. We need someone who can lead and be a leader for our community. Which is why Michael Grimm has to go.
The next 72 hours are critical to making sure we have the resources to send Michael Grimm packing.
But it gets worse. Instead of apologizing right away, Grimm released a statement that took the reporter to task saying he was being “disrespectful.”
It’s time for Michael Grimm to go. He continues to be an embarrassment to his district and to his constituents.
