Etheridge apologizes for confrontation caught on video

The Hill ^ | 06/14/2010 | Christina Wilkie

[Pyro7480]

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) on Monday apologized for behaving aggressively during a confrontation on the street with a young man who claimed to be a student.

"I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved," he said in a statement released by his office.

A video of the incident, in which Etheridge can be seen swatting at a camera and grabbing the young man by the coat collar, appeared online Monday morning.

"Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina," Etheridge said, "I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect. No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response. I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse."

[fightinJAG]

Yes, the student should press charges.

Etheridge did not grab the student “by the coat collar.” He grabbed him by the neck, more than once IIRC, and yanked me over to him as if he might put him in a neck hold.

Etheridge’s conduct is a crime and should be treated as such.

[fightinJAG]

Too bad no one among the Dems put the question to Obama, “WHO ARE YOU?”

[rod1]

From a Congressman who claimed to represent the views of the people of NC-2.

[rod1]

“Behaving aggressively”

eh... no it was assault.

[fightinJAG]

“People with all viewpoints”?

All the guy did was ask him whether he agreed with the Obama agenda. How is that expressing a viewpoint?

And, by the way, Rep. Etheridge: DO YOU AGREE WITH THE OBAMA AGENDA?

[reagan_fanatic]

This imperious asswipe should be in jail for what he did.

The common Joe on the street would be.

[DM1]

is this yutz in a competitive district by any chance?

[fightinJAG]

He needs to take lessons from the Master of Apologies, Obambi.

[Huck]

I love this guy. Who are you? Who are you? Dammit, where’s my highball? What the hell? Where am I? Come here sonny, you little..lol. That guy’s a riot. I want to meet him.

[Polybius]

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) on Monday apologized for behaving aggressively ...

Congressman Etheridge did not merely "behave aggressively". "Behaving aggressively" covers everything from cold-blooded murder by a serial killer to a wife screaming at her husband that he left the toilet seat up.

Etheridge met the legal definition of simple assault. That happens to be a crime.

[fightinJAG]

Me, too.

[katana]

Average people can’t get by with apologizing for an assault and battery (a felony under DC law, I’d presume). If the DA and police won’t do anything about it a civil suit is most definitely “warranted”.

[bwc2221]

My guess is that Renee Ellmers will be one of Momma Grizzlie’s cubs by the end of the week.

[GOPJ]

Another dem - sorry he got caught...

[latina4dubya]

I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse."

not true... his aggressive response to this student is proof...

[Balding_Eagle]

The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3tMcivWi-k

[fightinJAG]

Excellent suggestion! No doubt someone will take you up on it.

[prisoner6]

FWIW - not much - The DUmmies can't even spin the incident, LOL!

prisoner6

[Tzimisce]

This is assault and battery.

Take his ass down.

[Red_Devil 232]

Looks like there will be a news conf. by Etheridge in a few min. and it will be aired by FNC.