McCain supporter robbed, assaulted

[CMoore]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 7:43pm

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_594853.html

A knife-wielding man robbed a McCain-Palin campaign volunteer and etched a “B” into her face after he saw a McCain bumper sticker on the woman’s car, Pittsburgh police said.

Ashley Todd, 20, of College Station, Texas, was using an ATM at Liberty Avenue and Pearl Street in Bloomfield just before 9 p.m. Wednesday when a man approached her, put a knife to her throat and demanded $60, police said.

Todd handed the man $60 she had in her pocket and stepped away from him, investigators said. The man then noticed the bumper sticker on the woman's car, which was parked in front of the ATM. The man became very angry, made comments to Todd about John McCain and punched her in the back of the head, knocking her to the ground, police said.

"He continued to kick and punch her repeatedly and said he would teach her a lesson for supporting John McCain," said police Chief Nate Harper.

The man then carved the "B" into Todd's right cheek. Todd, who isn't familiar with the area, drove to a friend's house nearby and told her friend she wasn't sure of the exact location where the robbery took place but remembered a green sign above the ATM. The friend called police and the officer met them on Cypress Street in Bloomfield, police said.

Todd's friend offered to drive her back in the direction she came from to look at ATMs until she found the right one, police said. A police officer followed until Todd pointed out a Citizens Bank ATM at Liberty and Pearl, police said.

She declined medical treatment at the scene and said she would go to a hospital today.

Todd declined to comment.

"She is a volunteer for the McCain-Palin campaign," said campaign spokesman Peter Feldman. "Sen. McCain has reached out to her via telephone and has spoken to her and her family,” as has McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Feldman said. “Out of respect for her privacy we're not going to comment further."

Democrat Barack Obama's campaign released a statement saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman for her to make a speedy recovery, and we hope that the person who perpetrated this crime is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice."

Police described the suspect as black, about 6-foot-4, and said he was wearing dark-colored jeans and a black undershirt.

The ATM has a security camera and investigators are trying to watch the video, police said.

[jenna2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 7:50pm

And this is why I'm too afraid to volunteer on election campaigns... What the hell is wrong with people?

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 7:52pm

Poor girl.


It's a shame it's like that on both sides.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 8:08pm

How annoying that they have to fight elections for their cause
The inconvenience -- having to get a majority
If normal methods of persuasion fail to win them applause
There are other ways of establishing authority

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 8:14pm

A less violent incident happened to a friend of my mom's.

She lives in BFE Ky, southeastern to be exact. It's a Republican black hole. She's as sweet as she can be, and she drives a cute little white Ford Focus and has an Obama bumper sticker and Kerry sticker left over from 04. She's one of the VERY few democrats at church. She came to Sunday morning church with what she called a "strange prayer request".

Someone snuck into her garage and let the air out of all 4 of her tires. She asked everyone to pray for the person who did it.

Let's just say the next morning she didn't have any bumper stickers on her car.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 8:16pm

Michelle Malkin (!?) thinks something is fishy here

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 8:27pm

This thing reeks of

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 8:27pm

Wait. So conservatives are suggesting this was a self-inflicted wound?!?

[bwayfan9]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 8:35pm

I am all for Obama, but I do not respect the person that did this, we need to learn to respect each other's opinions.

[artscallion]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 8:53pm

When I first heard this story I had this strong feeling that it just didn't ring true the way it was described. My first suspicion was that the GOP paid her to do this so they can bring back that scary, angry black man fear that they hope people will associate with Obama. Now that I see her picture with that surface scratch, backwards 'B', I'm even more suspicious.

And with all that apparent anger going, after he beat and kicked her, he did this neat, surface scratch...with said knife...backwards. Since I would consider the faking of this crime worse than the crime itself, I look forward to being proven wrong by the surveillance video.

[romantico]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 10:14pm

John Boy, Stop with the PM's. Seriously,I am saving them all.Maybe some would be flattered. I am repulsed and creeped out. I think there is a number you can call to get help.Seriously,talk to someone.....just not me.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/10/23/politically-motivated-mutilation-real-or-hoax/

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1023083twitter1.html

Updated On: 10/23/08 at 10:14 PM

Posted: 10/23/08 at 10:21pm

A couple questions:

The "B" is backward? As if the person cutting were looking in a mirror? How did the "large black man" know her car had the "McCain" bumper sticker on it?

And what repulsive and creepy things did John Boy say?

[tazber]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 10:30pm

So I assume some OT board posters were involved?

[romantico]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 10:31pm

Girl who was supposedly attacked shows her voter registration stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGxhshrCssc


Notice she shows off her ruler with the sharp edge on it.

JB2 has some serious issues and I will leave it at that.

The Latest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQxxmvVVnEI

Updated On: 10/23/08 at 10:31 PM

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 10:54pm

romatico is a liar. I've not sent that sicko any PMs. So, by all means, post them here, and tell the moderators.
Updated On: 10/23/08 at 10:54 PM

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 10:57pm

I'm not taking sides -- I don't know either one of you that well -- but your recent posts don't exactly make you appear to be the bastion of sanity, Romantico.

[romantico]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 10:58pm

LOL! You and I both know you have. Just get some help.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 11:01pm

Oh no. No LOLs romatico. Post the PMs. Complain to the moderators about the PMs I'm sending you. You're a rabid sicko. Post the PMs I'm supposed to be sending you. I'd love to read them.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 11:02pm

Is anyone else enjoying this as much as I am?

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 11:05pm

So where are they? Haven't you finished typing them, yet?

[romantico]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 11:05pm

I am! JB2, yes. I am laughing out loud. Rabid sicko? This coming from the guy who never has anything nice to say about anyone.JB2, you sound nervous.

Updated On: 10/23/08 at 11:05 PM

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 11:08pm

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 11:08pm

Nervous?! You're stalling. Where are the PMs?

[romantico]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 11:12pm

Stalling? Are you crazy? I'm not going to post them. If I did all you would do is deny it.Frankly, I am surprised you are denying it.Nothing threatening or hostile. Just creepy.I am laughing at your 'so called' shock and outrage.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/23/08 at 11:13pm

screen cap them!