The infamous scene of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver getting struck by errant spittle by a Tea Party protester during the ObamaCare protests became a focal point of Hardball tonight. Rep. Cleaver was Chris Matthews’ guest and he played the video for Rep. Cleaver. “He spit all over you, basically,” said Mr. Matthews. Rep. Cleaver did not acknowledge the statement, understandably, since he, himself has long-since walked back the charges his office originally made about the incident.
On March 20th Rep. Cleaver’s office issued a statement saying he was walking behind Rep. John Lewis on the way to the Capitol. As he walked he heard racial epithets and was spat upon. The statement also said the “spitter” had been arrested but the congressman refused to press charges.
But, the truth is, Rep. Cleaver was not walking to the Capitol when the incident occurred, he was walking back from the Capitol. Also, Rep. Andre Carson has claimed that there were no racial epithets shouted when the Congressional Black Caucus walked back from the Capitol, he claims it occurred on the way to the Capitol. Also, no arrests were made in this incident. Finally, the video clearly shows a man shouting right next to Rep. Cleaver’s face and the congressman behaves as though he was struck by errant spittle.
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