Posted April 24, 2006 – Embattled U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) is back in the spotlight.

During an interview with WSB-TV in Georgia Saturday, a reporter asked her if the controversy over the confrontation with a Capitol Hill Police officer last month had been a distraction for her.

McKinney fired back, telling the reporter, “You’re a distraction because that seems to be all you want to talk about.”

A frustrated McKinney got up and walked out of the interview, still wearing a microphone, and could be heard bad-mouthing her communications director, Coz Carson.  “You know what? They lied to Coz and Coz is a fool,” the congresswoman said.

When McKinney realized she was still miked, she let it be known to the reporter that the comments she made about Carson were off the record.

But the station aired the footage saying they don’t make “deals” with people being interviewed about what it can air.
 
McKinney, a DeKalb County Democrat, is running for re-election in the Fourth Congressional District.

A federal grand jury in Washington is considering whether McKinney should be charged in connection with the scuffle.

Staffers from four congressional offices said Tuesday that they have received subpoenas to testify in a grand jury probe into the incident between McKinney and a Capitol Police officer.
McKinney is accused of  striking an officer after he didn't recognize her at a security checkpoint and tried to stop her when she walked past him. At first McKinney said she was the victim of racial profiling, then ended up apologizing under pressure from fellow House members.

Should she apologize to her staff this time?

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