Anthony Weiner on Wednesday was caught on camera after engaging in an explosive debate with a Brooklyn voter, but the initial video edit release left out a key part of the exchange — and one that paints Weiner as the fight's more sympathetic figure.
New footage of the altercation, released by the Weiner campaign, includes a clip of the voter launching a racist attack at Weiner, who was at a campaign stop in a Brooklyn deli.
"You're married to an Arab," the voter says.
While the word "Arab" is not in itself derogatory, coming in context, it is clear that the voter makes mention of Weiner's marriage as an insult. Weiner is married to Huma Abedin, a longtime aide to former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The uncut video, released by the Weiner campaign, including the anti-Arab remark:
<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/73808311" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/73808311">Untitled</a>; from <a href="http://vimeo.com/anthonyweiner">AnthonyWeiner</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>; <img src="http://assets.nationaljournal.com/spacer.jpg">;
The original video, beginning shortly after the remark:
New York City mayoral candidate Weiner called a voter a "jackass" at a Brooklyn deli Wednesday, and the conversation got weirder from there.
The confrontation began while Weiner was leaving a campaign stop. A voter shouted something inaudible at the scandal-prone former congressman, who shot back, "It takes one to know one, jackass."
Weiner then reentered the deli to confront the voter, a middle-aged man, who ripped into Weiner over his marital indiscretions and unconventional use of Twitter.
Weiner, chewing throughout the exchange, replied that the voter had no right to judge him, telling him repeatedly that "you are not my God."
The voter countered, "You're fine. You talk to God and work out your problems, but stay out of the public eye."
Tempers and voices rose on both sides, and the discussion continued for several minutes as the two, frequently interrupting each other, sparred over questions of judgment and community service.
Weiner then exited the deli, telling reporters: "I don't back down."