Paul campaign wants Gingrich to apologize for 'assault' on supporter

The Ron Paul campaign wants an apology from Newt Gingrich for what it called an “assault” on one of its supporters outside Florida polling place by Gingrich campaign aides.

According to a Tuesday news report, 29-year-old Paul supporter Eddie Dillard had his bare toes mashed and stomped on and his phone broken by “Gingrich aides and security personnel” for holding a Paul sign too closely to the former House speaker.

The incident allegedly took place in the Orlando suburb of Windermere, Fla.

“They say the culture of an organization is a reflection of its top executive and today’s deplorable behavior against Ron Paul supporter Eddie Dillard in Florida reflects very poorly on Congressman Gingrich,” said Paul’s national campaign chairman, Jesse Benton, in a statement.

“I call on Congressman Gingrich to publicly apologize to Mr. Dillard. In addition," he continued, "we ask that those Gingrich campaign staff directly involved in the episode be immediately terminated.”

The Yahoo! News report said that a Gingrich aide had yelled for everyone to “step on his toes” during the skirmish. Dillard had been wearing flip-flops that the crowd reportedly kicked away.
 
"There is simply no excuse for the type of violent, boorish and abusive behavior demonstrated by Mr. Gingrich's campaign,” Benton said. “We hope Mr. Gingrich understands this and takes the actions we recommend.”