California Democrats Berman, Sherman get into near-altercation at forum

* Berman is a good guy and Sherman is trying to buy the race. Sherman was the aggressor. Both are Dems under new california rules

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2012/10/berman-sherman-get-into-physical-altercation-at-forum-video.html

The bitter race for a San Fernando Valley congressional district took a bizarre turn Thursday when Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Valley Village) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) got into a near-altercation during a forum at Pierce College.

Video of the event in Woodland Hills shows the candidates exchanging words and Sherman at one point putting his arm around Berman, saying: "Do you want to get into this?"

A uniformed officer then came onto the stage and appeared to ask that they move away from each other.

Both men are vying for a newly drawn congressional district in what is considered one of the nation's nastiest congressional races.

also:

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This is useful because it explains the difference that led to the physical encounter. Berman called Sherman a liar and "delusional" for insisting that Berman did not author the DREAM act, the law that cleared a path to citizenship for immigrants who come to the United States illegally, but as children.

Congress' research engine lists Berman as DREAM's House author, not Luis Gutierrez, the Illinois Democrat who Sherman says introduced the bill. Gutierrez has been a leading activist advancing the Act, which ultimately failed in Congress. (Aspects of it were this year incorporated into executive orders issued by President Obama.)

Sherman may be referring to the genesis of the bill; lower-ranked lawmakers will often bring their bills to more senior members in order to ensure advancement, or they will bring their ideas to senior lawmakers considering similar legislation. But at that point, the senior members generally invest themselves deeply in the bill -- and it seems odd to try and divorce Berman from DREAM entirely, as Sherman appears to be doing.

Here's the exchange, according to the Roundup:

“He lies,” Berman said in response to an allegation made earlier in the debate by Sherman saying that he was not the author of the bill.

“He knows I’m the house author of the DREAM Act. Why does he say that? Because he thinks he can get away with it. But, in the end, ya can’t fool all the people all the time, Brad,” Berman said.

“Howard, Luis Gutierrez introduced the bill. You didn’t. And the official records of Congress will prove you wrong,” Sherman yelled into his microphone. “Howard, you wanna get into this?”

“Don’t you dare stand up here in the West San Fernando Valley and get in my face. Stay away from me. You wanna put your face in mine? Go ahead,” Sherman added.

Sherman was responding to allegations made by Berman moments earlier.

“Is this what you want?” Berman said, pointing at Sherman. “He’s either delusional, or he distorts the truth.”
http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2012/10/11/3109081/did-brad-sherman-try-to-rough-up-howard-berman