A bitter Los Angeles-area congressional race between two veteran House Democrats took a strange turn Thursday night when the two candidates nearly got into a physical altercation during a public debate.

Democratic Reps. Brad Sherman and Howard Berman are vying to win control of the same district due to California's new primary system, which sends the top two finishers to the runoff regardless of party affiliation.

The Los Angeles Times reports 57-year-old Sherman seized the shoulder of 71-year-old Berman during the debate at a local college, yanked him toward his chest and shouted, "You want to get into this?"

Berman, who is smaller in stature than Sherman, visibly appears flustered in a video obtained by the Los Angeles Times. An officer in uniform then approaches the stage and appears to ask the congressmen to move away from each other.

Moments earlier, during a dispute on an immigration-related bill, Berman, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, stepped close to Sherman on the stage, who told his colleague loudly, "Get out of my face."

The two men later stood nose-to-nose exchanging words before a sheriff's deputy emerged behind them and briefly placed his hand on Sherman's shoulder. Sherman sat down and took a drink from what appeared to be a water bottle before the two men continued the debate.

Sherman later said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press that the debate "was not conducted at the highest level."

"I regret my part in allowing emotions to distract from the exchange of views," the statement read.

The veteran lawmakers were pulled into the same district after a voter-approved independent panel redrew California's political boundaries. They were the top vote-getters in the June primary.

Their race for the 30th district seat is one of eight same-party congressional runoffs on California's November ballot. Another, in the San Francisco Bay area, involves Democratic Rep. Pete Stark, the longest-serving member of the state's congressional delegation.

The campaign has seen a series of competing accusations, ranging from suggestions of ethical impropriety to fleecing taxpayers. Earlier Thursday, two former secretaries of state, George Shultz and Madeleine Albright, released a letter defending Berman for taking overseas trips following criticism from Sherman's campaign.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/12/california-house-race-with-veteran-dems-turns-physical-during-debate/#ixzz2975RKXFH

shameful and childlike,,,and unprofessional

Absolutely. Their party affiliation is irrelevant.

The hell it doesn't. Shows the mentality of the Democrats, they feel they are entitled and will use violence if anyone threatens or disturbs that.

No it doesn't. Now if they promoted all their constituents to do it then yea...

Its what they do when they cannot debate someone intellectually. Liberals aren't real bright, most of em don't even know they are liberal and ignorance and violence go hand in hand.

They are the representatives of the people...............

what they do mostly highlights their personal character

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_political_sex_scandals_in_the_United_States


its hardly a one sided track record either

I think its more about gender than political affiliation,, but thats just me

Nonsense! Politicians have been fighting that way before the Democratic Party came into existence. This was a case of one Alpha Male getting into another Alpha Male's personal space.

lol,,haaa

we actually agree

its the male factor, not the political one,,

Yes, we agree more than we disagree.

So because of the bad behavior of two democrats you immediately conclude that all democrats behave in the same manner?

There's a word for that.

Yes, but we're trying to avoid the use of foul language in this forum.

Try posing an accurate source, 90% of those listed in that article are unproven and speculation.

There's a big difference between sex (which everyone has and is a NORMAL human behavior) then violence and threats.

really, so being a 'family values' candidate and committing adultery is no biggy? being a pro life candidate and encouraging abortion is no biggy?

but putting your hand on the shoulder of a fellow politicaian is?


and let me guess, if its not caught on tape, its only speculation (when its about the candidates we support).....


gotcha

Is adultry a crime? Nope. I don't care if they are family values or not everyone is HUMAN and $hit happens and mistakes are made. Now then they say use their office to try to cover it up or say purge themself in court or Congress then I have a problem with it or if it interfears with their duties or the taxpayers are paying for it then I have a problem with it.

Or if they lie about it.

depends upon how you define 'crime',, in a marriage it is certainly legally penalized come divorce time and alieanation of affection is also a litigation worthy offense

although its probably prosecuted as often as putting ones hand on a shoulder is,,,,,

but certainly if borderline physical aggression is a political weakness,, hypocrisy is too.....

should let them have a Go at it!