Kentucky GOP candidate Ron Paul has become a friend of the Religious Right, endorsed by right-wing voices such as Jim DeMint, James Dobson, Sarah Palin, and Concerned Women for America. They politely ignored his "Aqua Buddha" incident and endorsed him as an upstanding candidate. Recently, however, Paul's campaign took a dark turn.
On Monday evening, a debate was scheduled between Paul and Democratic candidate Jack Conway at the Kentucky Educational Television studio in Lexington, KY. That night, several men were filmed beating and stomping on MoveOn activist Lauren Valle outside the building. One of the men, Tim Proffitt (former Bourbon County campaign coordinator for the Rand campaign) was filmed stomping on Valle's head. Valle was treated at a hospital for a concussion and sprained shoulder and arm, and has since been released.
(Trigger warning)
According to WKYT, Profitt claimed that he was protecting Paul from Valle and demanded that Valle apologize instead (!). With regard to the incident, Proffitt told reporters that he didn't think it was a big deal. He now faces a fourth-degree assault charge, and the Rand campaign claims that it has severed ties with him.
A pack of men beat up a woman half their size, giving her sprains and a concussion in the process, and it's not a big deal!? Sickening.
Valle claimed that the attack was pre-meditated when she spoke on MSNBC. How much more right-wing violence can we expect? As Media Matters points out, other incidents of right-wing violence have marred this election season, and I doubt we've seen the last of such violence. I desperately hope that those responsible for the attack on Valle -- ALL of those responsible -- are held accountable.
For commentary on the incident, visit the following links:
Huffington Post: When in Doubt, They Beat Up Women
Barefoot and Progressive: Full page ad in Herald Leader today touts endorsement of the Curbstomper
Think Progress: Rand Paul Head-Stomper To Victim: ‘I Would Like For Her To Apologize To Me’
Politics Plus: Rand's Republican Brownshirts Strike
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