10.28.2008

obama volunteer attacked in wisconsin

I'm a little late posting about this, because I actually didn't hear about it until recently... I read over on the Asian Americans for Obama blog that last week, a Barack Obama volunteer, 58-year-old Nancy Takehara of Chicago, was physically assaulted by a homeowner while canvassing in Caledonia, Wisconsin: Obama campaign worker allegedly assaulted at Caledonia home.

According the Takehara, the man grabbed her by the back of her neck, pounded on her head and screamed at her, yelling things about ACORN and not being "his people." What the hell? We're talking about a 58-year-old woman! Fortunately, she wasn't seriously injured: Obama Campaign Worker Allegedly Attacked.

The attacker has been identified as 71-year-old Ronald Goetsch, a McCain supporter and Marine veteran who has donated to the McCain campaign. He admits that he did in fact attack Takehara: Caledonia man says he regrets his actions with Obama canvasser.

Why is this man not in jail? As of last week, police were saying their report on the incident would be forwarded to the Racine County District Attorney's office when it was complete. It's getting ugly. It's gotten ugly. It's been a long road, and man, I cannot wait for next Tuesday to finally get here.

UPDATE: It should be noted that the woman who was attacked, Nancy Takehara, is actually not Asian American herself—she's a Caucasian, and married to a Japanese American man. This, of course, does not make Goetsch's actions any more or less despicable.

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