What I find disturbing is that Heinz Kerry never gave a clarification to the question that was asked. For those unaware of the bases of the "shove it" comment here's the background.
She had spoken to the Pennsylvanian delegates on the need for *civility* in politics.
"We need to turn back some of the creeping, un-Pennsylvanian and sometimes un-American traits that are coming into some of our politics," Heinz Kerry told Pennsylvania delegates.
A journalist asked her for a clarification on what she meant by "un-American activity." The question was asked three times, and rather than explaining her comment she walked away. Only to return to confront the journalist Colin after she was told which conservative newspaper he worked.
"Reporters wanted to know what she meant. Colin asked -- in an aggressive but not unusual manner. ... He was behaving like a reporter," said political reporter Peter L. DeCoursey of The Patriot-News in Harrisburg.
"Yes, she said, 'Shove it.' What's more interesting is that she specifically came back to tell him to shove it," he said. "She elbowed her way back through her own aides to come back and wave her finger in Colin's face, and tell him to shove it.
The video crew for WTAE-TV news anchor Scott Baker captured Heinz Kerry's remarks. Baker said McNickle had asked "a pretty straightforward question."
"He was not combative. I think he seemed to be polite. The question that he asked was one that had already occurred to me," Baker said. "Clearly, she was rankled by it."
Now I'm all for someone speaking their mind. But I think when you do so publicly, in the area for a political election, you should be expected to be questioned about it.
Rest in peace, Iflitifloat.
