A North Carolina congressman is under fire after a video surfaced Monday showing him in a physical confrontation with a young man on a street in Washington.
Rep. Bob Etheridge, a Democrat, is seen in the amateur video grabbing the wrist and neck of the unidentified man after he approached him and asked if he supported the “Obama agenda.”
The video, posted to YouTube, shows the man, who appears to be in his young 20s and who identifies himself as a college student, approaching Etheridge on the sidewalk.
Etheridge is then seen trying to snatch a cellphone camera out of the student’s hands. He then grabs the man’s wrist and refuses to let go.
“Who are you!” the seventh-term congressman demands. “Tell me who you are … I have a right to know who you are.”
Another man, not seen on camera, then tells Etheridge, “We’re just here for a project.”
When the student asks Etheridge to “please let go of me,” the congressman then grabs him by the neck.
In a statement Monday, NRCC spokesman Jon Thompson said, “Bob Etheridge has lost it.
“His conduct is unbecoming of a member of Congress. It’s bad enough that he’s joined Obama’s assault on North Carolina jobs, but his physical assault on a college student goes beyond the pale.”
A spokesman for Etheridge did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mike Flynn, a conservative blogger for biggovernment.com, wrote that the confrontation occurred last week outside a fundraiser headlined by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The video, which was posted to YouTube by “DCCameraGuy” on June 11, does not reveal the identity of the two men.
UPDATE: Etheridge Statement on Viral Video
Washington, DC, Jun 14 – U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) released the following statement on the viral video which appeared on the internet today:
“I have seen the video posted on several blogs. I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved. Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina, 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.”
Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC-02)
(Source: Fox News)
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7 Responses
Gevaldik. Time for this man to be impeached or resign. These Dems just can’t keep a handle on things, can they? Roll on November.
when are the “sheeple” of this once great nation going to
take back their country??? the actions of our so-called elected officials is atrocious.
This will bode well for his reelection campaign. New campaign slogan; “Vote for me or I’ll break your neck”!!!!
ywn,
thanks for posting!
let us all remember why all democrat party members are becoming so testy…. because they know they will lose their m’lucha (more like Memshola) over the taxpayers.
November 2, 2010 will be a major date in this country. Be a part of it & vote the right way!
On a side note: The Washington Post reported today that it was just a hug…
if they felt that confident about thier corrupt agenda they would not fly off like that . i guess they know the truth also
He needs to share a jail cell with Barney frank. The two of them would do well together.