By Pete Wicklund
Journal Times | Posted: Monday, November 3, 2008 12:00 am
CALEDONIA - A husband and wife are dealing with emotions of regret and embarrassment, after the husband pulled the hair of an Obama campaign worker during an altercation outside their house Saturday afternoon.
Ronald Goetsch, 71, confirmed on Sunday afternoon that he was the man who pulled the hair of canvasser Nancy Takehara, 58, of Chicago, when the two had a heated verbal exchange on Saturday. The exchange was over alleged voter improprieties in other states and the role of voter registration groups in those situations, Goetsch said.
On Saturday night in a telephone interview with WISN television, Takehara said "he (Goetsch) grabbed me by the back of the neck. I thought he was going to rip my hair out of my head. He was pounding on my head and screaming."
Goetsch said he did pull the woman's hair, but denies hitting or slapping her. Takehara did not seek medical attention at the scene of the incident, Caledonia police said in a Saturday press release.
Police said the incident remains under investigation and a report, upon completion, will be forwarded to the Racine County District Attorney's office for consideration of possible charges. Goetsch had not been arrested as of Sunday.
The police report on the case was not available Sunday afternoon.
Two Obama campaign workers had gone to the Goetsch residence on Aberdeen Lane near 4 Mile Road just before 1:30 p.m., Goetsch and police said. Goetsch went outside to meet with them. As the verbal dispute escalated, the Goetsches allege that Takehara was in Goetsch's face and was being loud, but did not assault him. Goetsch contends he asked Takehara to leave his property "five to six times" before the hair-pulling incident.
CORRECTION: In the story below, The Journal Times incorrectly stated the time that the canvasser arrived at the man's home. The correct time is 1:30 p.m. The error has been corrected below.
Attempts to reach Takehara Saturday and Sunday were unsuccessful.
Karen Goetsch said she witnessed the incident from inside their home and said the incident was not "characteristic" of her husband, who is retired from a local manufacturing firm and is a Marine veteran.
Ronald Goetsch said he is a supporter of John McCain and has donated money to his campaign. But he said his house has no McCain campaign sign and he and his wife are curious why the Obama camp sent canvassers to their home. Karen Goetsch said they checked with four neighboring households and none reported receiving a visit from the campaign workers.
Ronald Goetsch said he will take responsibility for his actions and will wait to see how the matter plays out in the legal system. He indicated he feels regret over what happened.
"He is not happy with what happened. It is what it is," Karen Goetsch said.
Takehara told WISN Saturday that she received a call of reassurance from Sen. Barack Obama.
"Sen. Obama understood, reassured me, he was wonderful," Takehara told Channel 12. "It made me feel connected to this government again."
On Sunday, the Obama campaign released the following statement:
"Last night's unfortunate incident in Caledonia was isolated and extremely rare, and we are grateful our volunteer is doing well," said Phil Walczak, Wisconsin communications director for Obama For America. "Thousands of Wisconsinites welcome our canvassers at the doors each and every day and whether or not they support Barack Obama. There is an overwhelming desire across the state to have a dialogue about how to bring our country forward."
Bill Folk, chairman of the Republican Party of Racine County, also issued a statement that condemned campaign violence and vandalism in general.
"As we read press accounts of alleged violence against an Obama campaign worker and accounts of ACORN registration fraud, coupled with daily complaints from both parties of stolen or vandalized yard signs, the Racine County Republican Party would like to encourage supporters of both sides to take a deep breath and remember that the basis of democracy is respectful civil discourse and respect for the rights of others," Folk said. "Violence, theft, and election fraud have no place in a civil society. We condemn any such acts, no matter who perpetrates them."