If your son went into a drunken rage, grabbed his girlfriend by the back of the neck and slammed her head into a rock-solid metal outdoor city trash can, fractured her skull, eye socket, and nose, would you simply call it “an embarrassing situation”?

Washington City Paper, 12/12/12, 12:42 pm:

“In a statement to Washington City Paper, Rep. Moran described his son and his girlfriend as ‘good kids.’

‘I hope their privacy will be respected,’ the congressman said. ‘They look forward to putting this embarrassing situation behind them.’

Washington City Paper, 12/12/12, 2:37 pm:

‘The situation was an accident,’ Moran spokeswoman Anne Hughes writes in an email, adding that both Moran and his girlfriend testified to that in court. ‘Patrick didn’t hit or shove her.’

Hughes claims that only Patrick Moran and his girlfriend were around to see the alleged attack. ‘They were the only two people who witnessed the scene,’ writes Hughes. “In that sense, their statements are the only ones that matter.”

That would contradict the police report, which describes both a Metropolitan Police Department sergeant and an Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration investigator seeing Moran slam his girlfriend’s head into a trash can cage outside the Getaway, a 14th Street NW bar.

‘They are both very embarrassed by the situation, which involved drinking,’ Hughes continues. ‘And they are looking to move past it, and ask for their privacy to be respected.’

If you have violent, misogynist tendencies similar to those exhibited by the Morans over the years, you might also be quick to dismiss domestic violence. But any decent parent – heck, any decent person, especially a public figure who is supposed to represent the values of hundreds of thousands of people, would not treat an episode like this as an “embarrassing” “accident” by a “good kid”. “Embarrassing” doesn’t even scratch the surface; “accident” is an insult to the intelligence of the public (the police report is abundantly clear that this was no accident). The best of us make mistakes, but “good kids” do not commit such violent, vile, inhuman acts.

We repeat our call: It is time for Jim Moran to resign. It’s obvious that Jim doesn’t care about embarrassing his constituents, but perhaps the fact that he and his son are so out of control in their personal lives so as to attract so much attention over the years (#MoranFamilyValues is going around on Twitter), will convince him that it’s time to pack it up and focus on getting his own life back together so we can focus on getting the country back together.

It seems Pat Moran didn’t inherit just his father’s political woes but his personal ones too. Pat Moran just pleaded guilty to assault for slamming his girlfriend’s head into a metal trash can cage outside a DC bar.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/12/morans-son-pleads-guilty-to-assault-151792.html

Pat gave his girlfriend a skull fracture and a broken nose. He was charged with felony assault but the sentence was reduced to probation after a plea deal.

Recall this:
http://retirejimmoran.com/morans-greatest-hits/#madman
And this:
http://retirejimmoran.com/morans-greatest-hits/#nose

It is our policy to refrain from tabloid-type stories unless it becomes legitimate to address them when the Morans bring yet another round of embarrassment to the 8th District. It’s an unfortunate story that we’d prefer not to deal with, but this is the second time in as many months that Pat Moran has been accused of a crime.

Jim Moran really needs to consider whether his time in Congress is worthwhile anymore – his behavior in the public spotlight has not only affected him personally but his wives and children too.

124,340 people voted against Jim Moran this year.

Going forward, our goal is to be a voice for those 124,000 (and growing) people who have had enough of Jim Moran’s two decades of disservice to the 8th District and the American people.

Jim Moran must be held accountable. We will hold him accountable.

We’re not going anywhere.

With 100% of precincts reporting at 3:13 am, Jim Moran has been re-elected to a 12th term.

Jim Moran (D) – 64%
Patrick Murray (R) – 31%
Jason Howell (I) – 3%

In 2010, we made an extensive and heartfelt appeal on why you should vote to Retire Jim Moran. (You can still read it, it’s all still relevant.) But we’re not going to do that this year. We just have a simple question that you need to ask yourself.

Jim Moran is corrupt. (Evidence)

Jim Moran is an embarrassment. (Evidence)

Jim Moran is a race-baiter. (Evidence and more evidence)

Jim Moran has no regard for his constituents’ opinions. (Evidence and more evidence)

Jim Moran is a loose cannon. (Evidence and more evidence)

Jim Moran is offensive. (Evidence, more evidence, and even more evidence)

Jim Moran is a political opportunist. (Evidence)

Jim Moran is uncaring about democracy and the rule of law (Evidence)

Jim Moran has no integrity. (Everything on this site is evidence of that.)

That’s who Jim Moran is.

Is that who you are?

Does Jim Moran really represent you?

You decide.

We know you’re out there. And there’s a lot of you. And you’re not alone.

You’re disgusted by Jim Moran’s countless ethics violations and embarrassments. You don’t like him and you’re uncomfortable that he’s representing you in Congress. But you’re a blue-as-can-be Democrat. And you agree with most of Moran’s voting record. And you know Moran has a powerful position on the appropriations committee and seniority, so he can “bring home the bacon”. But you know you deserve better.

It’s time to say enough is enough. It’s time to say that Moran’s ethics violations and offensive comments have no place in the Democratic Party. It’s time to say we won’t stand for this kind of behavior.

But you can’t bring yourself to vote for a Republican. You just can’t.

But why not give it a shot? Take a shot with Patrick Murray, and worst case scenario, you can put up a Democrat against him who actually represents your democratic values in two years.

And there’s another alternative. Yours truly is going to catch a lot of flak for this, but it’s principles over party for me too. You didn’t hear it here, but there’s an independent on the ballot whose name starts with “Jason” and ends with “Howell”. And there’s also a blank line to write someone in.

So, to all you Democrats who know you deserve better – vote against Jim Moran. The best part is that in America, nobody will ever have to know how you voted.

This is the biggest Jim Moran scandal since his anti-Semitic comments in 2007. (Isn’t it sad that we have something, much less many things, to compare it to?) The story of Pat Moran apparently encouraging voter fraud in a video has gone national (and international – it made the BBC) and remains a hot story – due in no small part to the fact that the campaign is being investigated by the Arlington police and possibly the Attorney General – despite the Moran campaign’s attempts to ignore it and hope it goes away. Here’s a small sample of notable reporting, reactions, and responses to the scandal from around the area and across the country.

Republican nominee Patrick Murray (statement) — “At this point I have a simple request of Jim Moran on behalf of the voters of the 8th District: Stop embarrassing us. Stop the unethical behavior. Do not seek reelection.”

Independent 8th District candidate Jason Howell (statement) — “The Moran campaign may now have many distracting, legal and ethical questions to answer. … We must do better.”

Arlington County Democratic Committee (statement via ARLnow) — “Arlington Democrats condemn any form of voter fraud. … We understand that Pat Moran has resigned from the Moran campaign, and we have asked him not to return to our offices.”

Fairfax County Republican chairman Jay McConville (statement) — “It is long past time for the voters of Virginia to retire Jim Moran. We need responsible, ethical, and effective representation in the 8th District, but time and time again Jim Moran has failed to live up to that standard.”

The Washington Post‘s “Worst Week in Washington” column (link) — “When approached at a Cosi by a total stranger pushing a vote-fraud scheme, be very, very leery. … [Moran] sounded slightly short of remorseful in a statement explaining his departure. ‘At no point did I take this person seriously,’ Moran said. ‘He struck me as being unstable and joking, and for only that reason did I humor him.’ Um, okay. … Pat Moran, for forgetting that walking away is sometimes the best policy, you had the worst week in Washington. Congrats, or something.”

Liberal news site Salon.com (link) — “There are no misleading editing tricks (we watched the full raw video) and Patrick Moran’s comments were detailed, extensive and clear.”

WUSA/CBS Channel 9 (link) — “Moran’s campaign office was empty and the door locked. All signs had been removed and we were unable to talk to him today [Oct. 25th].”

Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck(via Arlington Mercury, The Washington Examiner) — “It would be irresponsible if the police did not investigate.”

Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (via CNN)– “It’s just indefensible and he was right to resign.”

Virginia liberal blogger “Not Larry Sabato” (link) — “No reason to sugarcoat this in any way, it is totally unacceptable. I think it’s time for his dad to retire.”

Local conservative blogger “The Other McCain” (link) — “In defense of Pat Moran, though, it’s one thing to engage in hypothetical discussions about fraud, and quite another to commit it. I don’t want to sound like I’m letting Moran off the hook here; ‘Gentleman’ Jim is one of the larger pieces of work in our Congress. … Still, while this isn’t a flattering introduction to Pat, would anyone at the field director level for any campaign do anything even slightly wonky with someone on their first meeting? Looking at Moran’s body language, I’m reading a lot of ‘Yeah, sure, whatever’ here. A reasonable claim could be made that, to the extent Moran makes copacetic noises, Moran is setting about his own counter-sting. Except that Pat Moran has apparently resigned. Will Pat Moran’s sudden departure from daddy’s campaign be taken as an admission of guilt?”

8th District Republican Chairman Mike Ginsberg (statement) “Jim Moran needs to look at the havoc his tenure has wrought on the 8th District and the American people, and decide to put restoring American trust in Congress above his personal ambition. It is high time for Jim Moran to resign.”

Arlington Republican chairman Charles Hokanson (via NPR, Patch.com) — “This really should be the scandal that finally crosses the line, even for Jim Moran, so that he should resign from Congress and leave public office immediately. The people of Arlington – Republicans, Democrats and independents – will not tolerate potential voter fraud, and we demand of all our officials that they preserve the full integrity of our voting process. It’s time for Jim Moran to go, [whether] by resignation in disgrace, or by voter indignation at the voting booth on Nov. 6.”

Murray for Congress campaign manager David O’Connell (via Arlington Mercury) — “It’s a complete embarrassment to be represented by a congressman whose staff have such flagrant disregard for the rule of law and fundamental right of U.S. citizens.”

Virginia liberal blog “Blue Virginia” (link) — “The Moran campaign has been almost completely silent, refusing requests by multiple journalists for substantive comment. … The only thing they’ve put out, at least to my knowledge, is the following: ‘Patrick is well liked and was a well-respected member of the campaign team. This incident, however, was clearly an error in judgment. The campaign has accepted Patrick’s resignation, effective immediately.’ Well then, that clears it all up. Not! I mean, can you say any less than that in a statement about a major news story? It would be difficult, that’s for sure. I mean, c’mon, ‘an error in judgment,’ a ‘well liked and…well-respected member of the campaign team?’ Seriously?!? Ugh. … There are a gazillion questions that need to be answered here (e.g., was this a completely isolated incident? how long has behavior like this been going on by Patrick Moran?), and I certainly hope the Moran campaign is far more forthcoming in the next few days than they’ve been so far today. [RJM editor’s note – they haven’t been.]“

Los Angeles Times‘ Jon Healey (link) — “The younger Moran doesn’t tell the man that what he’s planning is illegal, immoral or wrong. … It’s damning, no question about it.”

WTOP (link) — “It’s likely that northern Virginia Democrats Jim Moran (8th District) and Gerry Connolly (11th District), along with Republican Frank Wolf (10th District), will be re-elected. But a landslide by the top of the ticket either way could change that. Moran, however, has been embroiled in a recent controversy. His son, Patrick, who worked on his campaign, is now under investigation for allegedly encouraging voter fraud.”

ICYMI: Patrick Moran issued his own statement on the situation last week:

In reference to the ‘O’Keefe’ video, at no point have I, or will I ever endorse any sort of illegal or unethical behavior. At no point did I take this person seriously. He struck me as unstable. I thought he was joking, for only that reason did I humor him.

In retrospect, I should have just walked away, making it clear that there is no place in the electoral process for even the suggestion of illegal behavior, joking or not.

In regards to my position on the campaign, I stepped down because I do not want to be a distraction during this year’s critical election.

Pat

How utterly insulting to citizens of the 8th District and Americans everywhere (and anyone with half a brain). What kind of creep would talk extensively and in detail with someone who they suspect is unstable about how to commit a felony just to humor them, just to joke around? And if Pat is so concerned about not wanting to interfere with a critical election, why would he take 20 minutes in the middle of the day less than a month out from the election to joke around?

This excuse lie is a classic case of “my dog ate my homework”, but that comparison insults the intelligence of young children who have used that excuse. A first grader could tell that Pat’s claim is totally bogus. And only a first grader would expect anyone to buy it. Pat graduated from Yale this year but he sure doesn’t seem too bright.

This statement about the video is almost as outrageous as the video itself.

Other than enough is enough. Moran’s breaking more election laws.

Arlington election officials issue candidates a reminder on polling place rules
By Patricia Sullivan
Posted at 04:51 PM ET, 11/01/2012

The Arlington County Electoral Board issued a reminder Thursday to candidates about proper behavior in polling stations after a resident complained about an encounter with Rep. James Moran (D) last night.

Rep. James P. “Jim” Moran Jr.The Arlington resident said she was about to vote absentee at the Barcroft Health and Fitness Center about 5:30 p.m. Oct. 31 when she heard a poll worker introduce Moran to another voter who was one of his supporters. The two chatted a bit, but when Moran turned to her, she said she mumbled that his conversation was inappropriate and likely illegal, and Moran turned away.

Under Virginia law, candidates are allowed to be in a polling place for up to 10 minutes to thank voters and workers but they are prohibited from campaigning there.

County Registrar Linda Lindberg said poll workers who were there told her that Moran was not politicking, but since the incident was “possibly borderline,” she referred it to the board.

Charlene Bickford, chairman of the Electoral Board, said it sounded to her like a conversation initiated by a voter and the discussion was within legal boundaries.

“Conversations in polls can get out of hand,” she said, especially during a heated election campaign. Bickford, a former Arlington Democratic Party chairman, consulted with other board members, who are former Republican Party chairmen, then sent an e-mail to Moran’s campaign and the current Democratic Party chairman reminding them of the law. She said she considers the matter settled.

“I’m not concerned this is any kind of general pattern,” Bickford said.

A spokesman for Moran’s campaign said he was there to thank the volunteer poll workers.

“He was in and out in less than five minutes and abided by all rules governing visits to a polling place,” the spokesman said. “It’s unfortunate someone would try to mischaracterize the situation, but sadly that’s the political environment we live in these days.”

Always some lame excuse.

The Washington Post predictably endorsed Jim Moran a couple weeks ago (before the voter fraud story broke, though it’s doubtful that the Post would change its mind given its almost exclusively Democrat endorsement history). This is the entirety of their endorsement of him this year, a full two sentences:

Mr. Moran, a Democrat who has long represented the heavily Democratic 8th District, has embarrassed himself, and his constituents, with ill-considered comments in the past. But he is conscientious and constituent-oriented, and his opposition in this election, as in past contests, is weak.

Really? That’s the best they can do? “He’s bad but we don’t like the other guy(s)?”

National Review‘s Jim Geraghty sums it up nicely:

“Here’s the entirety of the Washington Post editorial board’s endorsement of Moran this year:

‘Mr. Moran, a Democrat who has long represented the heavily Democratic 8th District, has embarrassed himself, and his constituents, with ill-considered comments in the past. But he is conscientious and constituent-oriented, and his opposition in this election, as in past contests, is weak.’

‘He’s the embarrassment to northern Virginia who has earned our trust!‘

Come on, Post editors. Moran’s Republican opponent is Patrick Murray. Give him a shot. Worst case scenario, he doesn’t work out, we can vote him out in 2014. You’ve already conceded that the guy who’s in there is an embarrassment to himself and his constituents.

If you continue to endorse him, and refuse to even mention the name of the major alternative . . . well, then you’re just embarrassing yourselves.”