PD: Obama bumper sticker fueled feud

GLASTONBURY, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Manchester man has been charged in a bat-wielding incident that was sparked by a bumper sticker.

A bumper sticker similar to one of those reading "Impeach Obama," wasn't just any ordinary bumper sticker to a 61 year-old Manchester man.

"Obviously people have their first amendment rights and they can say what they want to say but once you start getting out of a car and taking matters into your own hands like that it can be extremely dangerous," said Agent James Kennedy, Glastonbury Police.

Police say that's what 61 year-old Paul Gauschino did. He was driving here on Hebron Ave when 26 year-old Michael Cooper of Marlborough noticed that sticker and gave him the middle finger.

Guaschino did not like getting the middle finger so he chased Cooper up the road and that's when he let him know how he really felt with a baseball bat.

Police say Gauschino was two cars away at the next light. He got out of the car and hit the trunk area of Cooper's car with a bat.  

Cooper says the minor damage to his car doesn't compare to the panic he was going through as he drove off to call police.

"A short time later on New London Turnpike in front of Monaco Ford the individual that struck the car was located and he was subsequently arrested," said Agent Kennedy.

Gauschino faces threatening, criminal mischief, and breach of peace charges. News 8 went to his home to ask him why he got so upset, but he wasn't home.

"Road rage is an extremely dangerous thing and if you get out of the car, you don't know what you're going to be confronting," said Agent Kennedy.

Cooper says he learned the lesson to keep your political views to yourself when dealing with strangers. Police say that's great advice.