Source: Mike Malloy
It's not just New Jersey. Stories about out-of-control conservative politicos are becoming as common as celebrity gossip these days. Have you heard of Michael Grimm? He's the Republican Congressman from New York who threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony. On live TV. Yup -- didn't even care that the cameras were rolling.
"Rep. Michael Grimm (R--N.Y.) physically threatened a local news reporter during a heated exchange following an interview after Tuesday night's State of the Union address, telling the reporter, 'I'll throw you off this f----g balcony.'
"The exchange between the Republican Congressman from Staten Island and New York 1 reporter Michael Scotto took place on the Capitol balcony following the President's State of the Union address on Tuesday night. Scotto attempted to ask the lawmaker about an ongoing investigation into his campaign finances when Grimm stopped him: 'I'm not talking about anything that's off-topic, this is only about the president,' he said, before walking away from the camera."
Wait, it gets better! Scotto addressed the camera, stating that the Congressman refused to discuss the campaign finance issue, and that's when the Grimm reaper returned to attack:
"'Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I'll throw you off this f----g balcony.' When Scotto defended his line of questioning, Grimm told him, 'No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy.'"Congressman Grimm later released a statement about the exchange saying, '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.'"
Hey, you listening, Christie? I think we found you a running mate for 2016. ...