John Barrow Refuses To Disassociate Himself From Cynthia McKinney

April-05, 2006

John Barrow Refuses To Disassociate Himself From Cynthia McKinney

I(Savannah, Georgia) - Max Burns, former Congressman running to represent Georgia's new 12th District, today questioned why Congressman John Barrow failed to publicly rebuke fellow Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney for her recent assault of a U.S. Capitol Police Officer. The Hill newspaper today reported "Barrow declined to comment" on the incident even as his own party's leadership rebuked McKinney's actions.

"Down here, we have manners." said Burns. "We are courteous and respectful to one another. We don't go around hitting or slapping each other or condone those that do. For John Barrow to stand by in silence, tolerating this type of behavior, says more about his character than the actions of Cynthia McKinney."

Both The Hill and Roll Call, newspapers in Washington, DC, today reported that Barrow's Democratic leadership publicly rebuked McKinney for her actions. In The Hill, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "I find it hard to see any set of facts that would justify striking a police officer" and Roll Call reported that Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said "Everyone has an obligation to cooperate fully with the Capitol Police. It doesn't appear that happened" when asked if he believed McKinney had behaved appropriately. But when Barrow was asked to comment, The Hill reported, "Barrow declined to comment."

"Even John Barrow's liberal leadership saw that Ms. McKinney was wrong and took a stand against her, but sadly John Barrow continues to stand-by in silence," said Burns. "Folks a round here know Ms. McKinney is wrong, but clearly John Barrow doesn't understand the people in the 12th District or he wouldn't stand with Cynthia McKinney."

On March 29, McKinney allegedly assaulted a U.S. Capitol Police officer after he repeatedly asked her to stop. The matter has been referred to the U.S attorney for the District of Columbia by the U.S. Capitol Police. The U.S. attorney will decide whether to prosecute McKinney on either felony charge of assault on a police officer or a misdemeanor assault charge.

"This whole episode could have been avoided if Ms. McKinney would've stopped when asked by the police officer," said Burns. "The U.S. Capitol Police do a magnificent job protecting the members, staff and visitors on the capitol complex. I don't care who you are or where you are from; you know that if a police officer tells you to stop, you stop. Period."

http://www.maxburns.com/archive_detail.cfm?news_id=92