Ron Paul Backer Roughed Up at Newt Rally

A Ron Paul supporter was roughed up by Newt Gingrich's security staff and supporters at an event yesterday, and Paul's campaign is seeking an apology from Newt. Eddie Dillard was holding a Paul sign outside a Florida voting precinct when Gingrich's bus pulled up for a campaign stop, Yahoo reports. He was swarmed by Gingrich's security staff, one of whom dug his shoe into Dillard's foot, clad only by a flip-flop.

"Just block him!" a Gingrich campaign aide said as Dillard stood his ground just inches from where Gingrich was posing for photos. "Everyone step on his toes!" Angry aides grilled Dillard after Gingrich's appearance finished. "There is simply no excuse for the type of violent, boorish, and abusive behavior demonstrated by Mr. Gingrich's campaign," a Paul spokesman said in a statement. "We hope Mr. Gingrich understands this and takes the actions we recommend." (More Newt Gingrich 2012 stories.)