The Corey Lewandowski-Michelle Fields Edition
Quote of the Day:
“All respect to Harriet Tubman, but it’s Michelle Fields who should go on the $20 bill. Her courage will inspire generations yet unborn. …Like Americans everywhere, I know I’ll always remember where I was when news arrived of the tragic assault on Michelle Fields. …Whatever your politics, whatever your ethnicity or religion, please take a moment to pray for the recovery of brave Michelle Fields.”
— Ann Coulter, conservative commentator and author.
I’m just really glad to know we don’t have sheep parading around Washington masquerading as journalists. — The Mirror.
Things you learn in kindergarten
“A political aide has no right to put his hands on a reporter. Period.” — Jonathan Allen, Sidewireinc, longtime D.C. journalist.
The Judge and Jury
“Reminder: those at Breitbart who stood behind Trump and not their reporter are cowards and filth.” — Kevin Glass, policy director, The Franklin Center.
The voice of reason…
“You’d swear Corey was just found guilty of killing Nicole Simpson.” — Anonymous journo.
Reporter discusses Trump’s pen theory
“Trump says Michelle Field’s pen that she carried with her as she approached him could have been ‘very dangerous.’ #toughguy” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein.
Absolute brilliance in a nutshell (eye roll)
“I don’t think the video will change the preferred take of Trump supporters, that Fields should have shrugged it off but wanted attention.” — WaPo‘s Dave Weigel.
Confessional.
“Today has reminded me how much Twitter is like Lord of the Flies. And how much I wish I’d extended my vacation with my kids.” — Daily Mail‘s David Martosko, after he wrote this: “UPDATE: Member of Trump’s Secret Service detail confirms Fields touched Trump twice and was warned to stop, before Lewandowski intervened.” And this: “Florida standard for ‘battery’ is touching someone against his/her will. Ergo, every reporter “batters” every other reporter at these events.”
Wait…what is simple battery again? Oh, never mind.
“‘I’ll learn Florida’s legal definition of simple battery and then I’ll feel comfortable tweeting,’– No reporter on Twitter right now.” — The Washington Examiner‘s Eddie Scarry.
Luke Russert: Ben Terris is the definition of courage
“Throughout this entire ordeal @bterris always said, ‘I saw what I saw.'” — NBC’s Luke Russert.
Donald Trump doesn’t enjoy being manhandled either
“Victory press conference was over. Why is she allowed to grab me and shout questions? Can I press charges?” — GOP frontrunner Donald Trump.
The Fashion Critic
“Buried lede on new trump video is you get a great look at the one shirt @bterris owns.” — BuzzFeed‘s Evan McMorris-Santoro.
Ouch!
“Glad people can still get jobs as ambulance chasers when they discover they aren’t a great fit for journalism.” — Rudy Takala, Washington Examiner.
Sarcasm is…
“Help: Did the assault of Fields never happen or did she deserve it because she assaulted him first with her pen? Hard to keep track!” — The Daily Beast‘s Olivia Nuzzi.
Piers Morgan tells Fields to toughen up
“If a male reporter tried to claim this was ‘battery’, he’d be rightly mocked. Toughen up, @MichelleFields.” — Piers Morgan, ex-CNNer and host of “Good Morning Britain.” …”Can you imagine Barbara Walters, Katie Couric or Diane Sawyer claiming ‘battery’ for this? Just ridiculous.”
Ahh….the silver lining
“On the plus side, Trump has probably now cemented his support among men accused of assaulting women.” — Josh Greenman, New York Daily News opinion editor.
Benny Johnson on Journalism…
“If Robby Mook had committed battery against a female reporter questioning @HillaryClinton, he’d never work again, natnl. headlines for weeks.” — Benny Johnson, Independent Journal Review. “If you defend those who commit, coverup & apologize for battery against an innocent woman, you’re a coward. Not a journalist.”
And now a word from Breitbart‘s Texas Bureau
“I don’t believe smears about Sarah Flores, Katrina Pierson, or Amanda Carpenter. I can only imagine how they and their families feel.” — Breitbart’s Brandon Darby.
Donald Trump Vs. Michelle Fields
TRUMP: “Why aren’t people looking at this reporters earliest statement as to what happened, that is before she found out the episode was on tape?”
FIELDS: “Because my story never changed. Seriously, just stop lying.”
The Argument
Greenman: New York Daily News. Nuzzi: The Daily Beast.
JOSH GREENMAN: “I’m old enough to remember when people were innocent until proven guilty.”
OLIVIA NUZZI: “I’m old enough to remember when video footage that clearly showed an event was enough to convince people the event happened.”
JOSH GREENMAN: “Agree that an event happened. That an event happened and that a crime was committed not one and the same.”
Convo Among Three Journos
Johnson: IJR; Martosko: Daily Mail; Howe: RedState
BENNY JOHNSON: “I find it hard to believe that the @SecretService is commenting on ongoing Police investigations. Name the source?”
DAVID MARTOSKO: “No chance. It’s an agent, not the agency. Agents are good people and you can get to know them if you show up.”
BEN HOWE: “This is a frightening concept. If you get to know @secretservice agents they’ll break their secrecy?”
DAVID MARTOSKO: “I wouldn’t put it that way. Point is that you have to be out here day after day to understand it.”