Why was this man, Jon Taylor of Louisa County, being arrested and manhandled by police Monday? Because, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, he was attending an apparently public event at a coffee house, promoted by Rep. Eric Cantor on his website.
Taylor said the Democrats were asked to leave by the coffee shop’s owner. When they refused, authorities escorted them outside.
The three others were issued summonses for trespassing.
Cantor arrived after the disturbance, entering the coffee shop by the rear door. He spoke for about 20 minutes, shook hands with the guests and left.
So, are you feeling comfortable in Eric Cantor’s America? Get used to more of this if these guys win next Tuesday.
UPDATE: The Washington Post has more:
Cantor also has a tendency to surround himself with layers of defense, as was the case Monday when he appeared at a coffee shop in the small town of Louisa, supposedly to meet voters.
One man attending was John Taylor, a member of the Louisa County Democratic Committee and a backer of Rick Waugh, Cantor’s Democratic opponent. Taylor and two others were asked to leave the coffee shop. County police then subdued Taylor, as can be seen in a video shot by his son with his cell phone.
Events like these raise questions about the decorum of the man who would be in such a powerful position on Capitol Hill. Violence at campaign stops, regardless of who may be at fault, is not something commonplace in Virginia politics.
If Cantor says he will meet and debate voters, he should have the nerve to do so. He should not hide behind his party’s gatekeepers and a rural police department.
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