So if the Guardian reporter had grabbed Gianforte by the neck and slammed him to the ground

[Augiedog]

would the result be a misdemeanor assault charge? Nah....a republican billionaire congressman? It would be a terrorist attack and the national guard would be mobilized. The reporter would be disappeared to Guantanamo, never to be seen or heard from again.

This behavior is what I call "right wing privilege", that being the perception that these pricks can do as they please, especially when they hold government positions that they see as their property. Think of the Orange Anus and his declaration that he could shoot someone in Times Square and suffer no consequences.

[LiberalLoner]

1. Actually, in Montana, yes. The way the laws are in

My home state, serious bodily injury (broken bones, etc.) has to occur before it is considered a felony charge. Don't agree with the law, but that's how it is.

[justhanginon]

2. I don't think it would make much difference what he was charged with,

he is a wealthy republican. Over and over again we have seen that very rarely are there any electoral repercussions for bad personal behavior. What sane voters regard as disqualifying behavior by a candidate is evidently considered a plus or at least neutral by their supporters. They make their feeble excuses and they continue their support.