I have long condemned violence and the threat of violence during elections. As I started a tweetstorm back in June, when some people were physically attacking Trump supporters, Our democratic system depends upon the ability to peacefully gather for political purposes, without the threat of violence.
But some of this violence as continued. In Minnesota, for example, some Trump fundraiser “attendees were pushed and jostled, spit on and verbally harassed as they left the convention center.”
This is despicable and should be condemned by all. People should have the right to engage in political activity without fear of violence or intimidation.
There is a big difference, however, between this violence and the violence coming from Trump supporters (as well as the threatened voter intimidation): only Trump is the one encouraging violence (watch this video). And Hillary Clinton has condemned the attacks on Trump supporters, much of which seems to come from anarchists and political agitators who do not support either candidate. These people do not seem to be Hillary supporters (at least based on their signs and what they are wearing).
Let’s compare the Clinton and Trump views on violence.
“I condemn all violence in our political arena,” Clinton told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview broadcast Friday. “I condemned it when Donald Trump was inciting it and congratulating people who were engaging in it. I condemn it by those who are taking violent protests to physical assault against Donald Trump.”
“So if you see someone ready to throw a tomato. Knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Okay? Just knock the hell. I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees, I promise. I promise.”
“We’re not allowed to punch back anymore. I love the old days. You know what they used to do to guys like that when they were in a place like this? They’d be carried out in a stretcher folks.”
“I’d like to punch him in the face. I’ll tell you. We having a good time? U.S.A. U.S.A.”
So despite what some folks think, there really is no comparison. One candidate is encouraging violence; one is condemning it.