Witness Disputes Report of Black Panther Intimidation

Fox News story said threatening men stood outside Pa. polling station

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 4, 2008 5:46 PM CST

(Newser) – An Obama campaign volunteer says there’s nothing to Fox News’ story that two Black Panthers were intimidating voters at a polling place in Pennsylvania, Greg Sargent reports on Talking Points Memo. One was an official poll watcher, and though he is a Panther, he was not “blocking the door” as Fox suggested, the volunteer said, adding that neither was affiliated with the campaign.

The second man, who had a nightstick, was not a designated poll worker, and left after a discussion with police. The Obama staffer said it looked like some McCain supporters who were taking cell phone pictures of the Panthers were baiting the men. But “there has been no fighting, no voter intimidation at all,” she says, and police didn't seem concerned.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Pat LaPetter, a volunteer Pennsylvania constable for Election Day, directs traffic at the Middle Smithfield Township office near Marshalls Creek, Pa., today. (AP Photo)

Voters wait their turn as a woman casts her vote Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 in the Harlem neighborhood of New York. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

The rising sun casts shadows of voters waiting to vote at a polling place at Venice Beach lifeguard headquarters in Los Angeles' Venice district today. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

FOX reports on alleged voting intimidation by Black Panthers in Philadelphia. (youtvtime)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Hillary Clinton, as 'buyer's remorse' plagues a third of the country

(NEWSER) - The most popular politician nationwide is the one that got away: Hillary Clinton. Nearly two-thirds of the country sees the secretary of state favorably, and a third are battling what Bloomberg terms “buyer’s remorse” over not electing her president. Just over a year ago, only a quarter of Americans felt that way. “Looking back, I wonder if she would have been a stronger leader, knowing the games and the politics and all that goes on,” says a Florida woman. “I don’t think she would have bent as much.” More»

Obama Campaign Becomes ... a German Musical

And yes, there's a Sarah Palin character

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama's 2008 campaign is the subject of Hope!, a musical set to premiere Jan. 17 in Frankfurt. The production features musical-theater versions of the major players: Michelle, Hillary—looking quite young—John McCain and even Sarah Palin, who sings a solo surrounded by scantily clad dancers. Writer and composer Randall Hutchins, who is American, tells Der Spiegel he got the idea for the production "right at the start of Obama's electoral campaign. I found the atmosphere exciting and that was my inspiration." More»

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

(NEWSER) - The South is gaining population and power at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, according to Census Bureau estimates released yesterday. If House seats were distributed based on the estimates, which are believed to be a strong predictor of the 2010 census results, Texas would be the big winner, gaining three seats, with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington each adding one. More»

McCain Gets His Fight On

Rebounds from 2008 as feisty, fired-up partisan

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama's old opponent is back, taking a leading roll in attacking his policies on health care and Afghanistan, but he's not the same John McCain the president defeated a year ago. McCain has pulled an Al Gore, bouncing back from an election he lost as a moderate to take a new role as an opposition firebrand—and a "colorful political celebrity" in the drab lineup of the GOP establishment, the LA Times reports. More»

McCain Voters' Testosterone Dropped After Loss

For men, elections are dominance competitions

(NEWSER) - Male McCain voters were feeling a little less macho when the results of the 2008 election rolled in. Duke researchers tested testosterone levels in 183 voters across election night. Testosterone normally drops over the late evening—but male Obama voters’ levels remained stable, while McCain voters saw a bigger drop than usual. No such effect took place for women, notes Political Wire. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Witness Disputes Report of Black Panther Intimidation