CARTOON: “Grabby 2016”

From Clay Jones on his political cartoon “Grabby 2016,” Corey Lewandowski’s abusive behavior, and Michelle Fields’ exaggeration of it

Michelle Fields, a reporter for Breitbart, claimed that Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski grabbed her and left bruises on her arm. This happened after a Trump press conferences in Jupiter, Fl., on the night of a primary.

The Trump campaign never admits wrongdoing or apologizes. They claimed it never happened. Lewandowski tweeted, because these people tweet, that he never touched or met Fields. Trump said it never happened. Fields published pictures of bruises on her arm.

Field’s organization, Breitbart, failed to back her up, so Fields resigned.

Lewandowski was arrested Tuesday on charges of battery in Jupiter, where the incident happened. Video is out of the guy grabbing the female reporter. Now Trump says he “brushed by her.” I guess it turns out they did meet, though it probably wasn’t a formal introduction, like, “Hello, I’m Corey Lewandowski. May I manhandle you?”

On the video, the reporter is walking along Trump, trying to ask questions. Lewandowski comes up from through the crowd and behind Fields, grabs and stops her as Trump keeps going. He definitely did more than brush by her. The Trump campaign is trying to do the Jedi mind trick on the public by saying what you’re seeing on the video isn’t really what you’re seeing. This is not the assault you’re looking for.

Fields claimed afterward that she was grabbed by the arm and almost yanked to the ground. The video makes the Trump campaign look like liars. It makes Fields out that she exaggerated the incident.

Yeah, she was grabbed. It probably lasted a second. That’s long enough to leave a bruise. Is that battery? In Florida, yes it is. There is no excuse to grab anyone without permission. If they give you permission, as in “Yes, please grab me,” then go ahead and get all grabby and up in their business. Campaigns don’t have habit of roughing up reporters, no matter how much the campaigns hate the press in their love/hate relationship.

Campaigns also don’t understand that when they write rules for the media, as in “Don’t ask questions,” that the media has no obligation to obey those rules. Campaigns don’t dictate journalism. I know. Wouldn’t it just be easier for candidates if the media would only ask pre-approved questions?

Now Breitbart really isn’t journalism. It’s a right-wing troll site. If you’re ever debating someone over politics and they cite a Breitbart article, you automatically win the argument. Working for Breitbart makes any claim by Fields questionable, even in conflict with Donald Trump. We’re talking about a “journalist” who chooses to work for a news organization that doesn’t operate or conduct itself with the same ethical or moral guidelines as the legitimate media. They are not news. They exist to obstruct Obama, to encourage fear and racism, and to feed lies that will make their readers angry at liberals. Imagine Fox News without any moral or ethical code. I know. You already thought they didn’t have any. Go read a Breitbart article, read the comments section, and then take a shower.

Fields did exaggerate. I don’t believe she’s been taught that journalists aren’t supposed to make stuff up. But she’s not wrong in that she was violated. She was grabbed. It’s a blurry video, but you can tell she’s suddenly stopped as soon as Lewandowski reached her.

The Trump campaign has less credibility than Breitbart. Breitbart backed Trump up by not demanding an apology or an explanation from the Trump campaign. Fields resigned for their lack of support, in response to which I ask Fields: “What did you expect from Brietbart?” You lie down with snakes; don’t be surprised when they bite. I’m sure she won’t have any issues with integrity in the future since she now works for Fox News and The Daily Caller (insert eye roll here).

What’s next? Lewandowsky will be slapped on the wrist if the charges are not dropped. The Trump campaign increases its campaign of violence, hate, and misogyny. This issue will be a footnote in July when the Republicans hold their convention in Cleveland. There will be new scandals. Maybe Trump will toss a midget.

claytoonz.com/2016/03/30/grabby-2016