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."

[Fresh Wind]

Pretty sincere apology. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Great! If I rob a bank, and the police drop by to ask questions, all I have to do it apologize and they will go away.

[reaganrevolutionin2010]

WaPo libtard says it was a hug, not an assault:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/06/who_tmzd_rep_bob_etheridge.html

[Chaguito]

“He deserved it because he was intrusive...” /paraphrase Still lacking just a little. Better than most, however.

[ct_libertarian]

I know everyone is talking about an assault charge.

But did a Congressman not just physically assault a citizen for exercising first amendment guaranteed rights of speech and redress?

I think that there is a bigger issue here if the students want to push for it.

[rcrngroup]

I don’t understand the passivity of conservatives, either young or old, who allow themselves to be manhandled or assulted by deranged leftie socialist demoRATs. This is the 5th incident or so, I have seen of pro-lifers being assulted, TEA party members being assulted, and now this assult by a dimTURD congressman. The kid should have pummeled the old liberal geezer right there on the spot, with the camera man recording the full incident as evidence. I wish that conservatives in these situations would start to FIGHT BACK for cryin’ out loud. How in the heck can you allow yourself to be assulted without fighting back. It’s almost like the libTURD assailants can spot who will NOT fight back. I really don’t understand this type of passivity. The only way to confront a bully is to hit back hard just once...after that the bully will run away crying, but at least it will be caught on tape as evidence.

[Hacklehead]

Notice how quickly the mask is back on when the world is watching? In reality they are all THUGS with nothing but contempt for the people. This a-hole should win an academy award for conning his constituents all these years.

[rcrngroup]

When he sobers up he better get himself a good lawyer.

I bet the two kids will never file or press any sort of charges. Another demoRAT gets away with assult & battery and no consequences whatsover.. that's my prediction.

[ExTexasRedhead]

The American people can view all the YouTubes of the RAT townhall meetings from last summer to see the disdain that RATs and RINOs hold towards their Constituents. Sleaze bag RATs crawled out of their Liberal sewer.

[444Flyer]

“...I want you to argue with them and get in their face.”~B.H.Obama

[Shannon]

She looks good to me. I checked out the link you posted and found this.
Renee Ellmers, 46, is a registered nurse who manages her husband's medical practice in Dunn. She is a self-described tea party conservative who has made criticism of Etheridge's vote in favor of the health care legislation a focus of her campaign.

If I lived in her area she'd have my vote.

http://www.reneeforcongress.com/

[A CA Guy]

Physical abuse is no sign that the person is in their right mind or has any self control IMO.

Should be played against the turd in commercials as he runs for office.

He should retire.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Why are charges of assault not being filed against this guy?

[fretzer]

>Donate to his opponent:
>Renee Ellmers

Thanks. I was looking for that information.

[Renderofveils]

NC-2. Democrat held for 107 of the last 109 years.

[RKBA Democrat]

And I hope his opponent wins.

A great object lesson on why a successful political party should challenge all the seats it can. Ms. Ellmers campaign was laboring pretty much in obscurity. Now fate drops this in our laps.

Thankfully, she looks like a pretty good candidate.

[ConservativeMind]

I’d ask for damages and jail time for assault.

[TexasTransplant]

I just wonder how many “If you would have tried that with me you would need “extreme life support measures”, responses?

He can apologize from the unemployment line

TT

[old republic]

At least this one has the sense to apologize without using some weasel phrase like “if anyone was offended.”

He should not get any political points for apologizing. The video is so incriminating, that it would be political suicide to not apologize unequivocally for what he did. Sorry is not enough. This Congressman ought to be expelled from Congress for assaulting a student who didn't do anything to provoke an attack except politely ask a policy question on a public sidewalk.

[NonValueAdded]

I believe under Article I, Section 6 all that can be done is to bring a charge of Breach of the Peace to pierce the Constitutional immunity of that berk.

[altura]

Agree. ‘Nuther mean girl.