I get the adversarial relationship between GOP candidates and party folks and the press is bad. I get that reporters can be annoying and aggressive (and biased). But there is a difference between the trash talking done on the campaign and physical violence. One is rhetoric, and the other is illegal. Donald Trump roused the crowd up to heckle the hecklers and cheer and boo at various points during his speeches.  He did the right thing. Greg Gianforte did something very different. Mr. Gianforte reached over and laid his hands on a reporter, then lied like a rug (ignoring the witnesses and taped incident). Fox News crews were in the room and their statement is here.

To be clear, at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, who left the area after giving statements to local sheriff’s deputies.

Gianforte had many other things he could and should have done. HE chose poorly and laid his hands on the

guy. Is this someone Montana wants representing them? I am thinking the assault charges may make his term very, very short.