BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The dust-up over a Wednesday evening confrontation between independentJack Davis and a tracker from Republican Jane Corwin's campaign has intensified, both locally and nationally, after it was revealed that the tracker was Michael Mallia, Corwin's chief of staff in the New York State Assembly.
In an interview with Hotline On Call nearby her campaign headquarters, Corwin said that revelation shouldn't change the fact that Davis was too aggressive when pursued by Mallia, and maintained that she hadn't heard about the incident until later on Thursday and wasn't aware that both the Erie County Republican Party and the National Republican Congressional Committee had circulated the video to the media. A second tracker was also taping the event, but Corwin says she hasn't seen that video.
In an interview with Hotline On Call nearby her campaign headquarters, Corwin said that revelation shouldn't change the fact that Davis was too aggressive when pursued by Mallia, and maintained that she hadn't heard about the incident until later on Thursday and wasn't aware that both the Erie County Republican Party and the National Republican Congressional Committee had circulated the video to the media. A second tracker was also taping the event, but Corwin says she hasn't seen that video.
"The only video I saw was the one that everybody else has seen," said Corwin. "I hear Mike's voice on the video and I see Jack come over and hit him. I think the video is self-explanatory. I don't think there's any confusion."
And even though Mallia is employed by her, he was still acting during his own free time, Corwin said, and it shouldn't be seen as a conflict.
"He wasn't acting as my employee. He wasn't acting on behalf of the assembly or myself. He was a volunteer. This was on his own time," said Corwin. "As his employer, I don't think I should be telling him what he should and should not be doing with his free time." Davis's campaign says the probing questions, asked by Mallia after Davis abruptly withdrew from a debate, were harassment and that he was being targeted by Corwin. They maintain that Mallia was overacting and that Davis and an aide with him did not assault anyone. Corwin said she, Davis, and Democrat Kathy Hochul have all been subject to increased scrutiny, and that comes with the terrain. "I don't think he's being unfairly targeted. I think we're all probably getting about the same amount of focus," said Corwin. "The thing that really matters is how you handle it. I've had cameras on me for two months now, and I've never hit anybody, and I never felt like I should or needed to or I was justified in hitting anybody, and I think that's the difference is how you handle a situation like that." Erie County GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy, who was the first to distribute the tape, also defended releasing the video, and said he was aware it was Mallia who was the videographer when he first sent it. "I knew who it was, but I don't think it changes a thing," said Langworthy. "The guy was there on his own time, and it was after hours. He wasn't doing it with official resoucres. People that work for elected officials are often political junkies that get involved in campaigns." Langworthy said the video still speaks for itself. "He got physical, and it shows him verbally threatening someone. It shows that he doesn't have the temperament to serve in Congress," said Langworthy. "Davis has traditionally a very thin skin as far as campaigns go, and has taken great umbrage with people trying to point out what he's done in the past."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/05/tracker-tape-controversy-continues-in-ny-26-13
And even though Mallia is employed by her, he was still acting during his own free time, Corwin said, and it shouldn't be seen as a conflict.
"He wasn't acting as my employee. He wasn't acting on behalf of the assembly or myself. He was a volunteer. This was on his own time," said Corwin. "As his employer, I don't think I should be telling him what he should and should not be doing with his free time." Davis's campaign says the probing questions, asked by Mallia after Davis abruptly withdrew from a debate, were harassment and that he was being targeted by Corwin. They maintain that Mallia was overacting and that Davis and an aide with him did not assault anyone. Corwin said she, Davis, and Democrat Kathy Hochul have all been subject to increased scrutiny, and that comes with the terrain. "I don't think he's being unfairly targeted. I think we're all probably getting about the same amount of focus," said Corwin. "The thing that really matters is how you handle it. I've had cameras on me for two months now, and I've never hit anybody, and I never felt like I should or needed to or I was justified in hitting anybody, and I think that's the difference is how you handle a situation like that." Erie County GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy, who was the first to distribute the tape, also defended releasing the video, and said he was aware it was Mallia who was the videographer when he first sent it. "I knew who it was, but I don't think it changes a thing," said Langworthy. "The guy was there on his own time, and it was after hours. He wasn't doing it with official resoucres. People that work for elected officials are often political junkies that get involved in campaigns." Langworthy said the video still speaks for itself. "He got physical, and it shows him verbally threatening someone. It shows that he doesn't have the temperament to serve in Congress," said Langworthy. "Davis has traditionally a very thin skin as far as campaigns go, and has taken great umbrage with people trying to point out what he's done in the past."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/05/tracker-tape-controversy-continues-in-ny-26-13