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Congressman loses his cool, acts like a fool

A couple of young men with video cameras set a trap for North Carolina Democratic congressman Bob Etheridge ...

... and he stepped right into it.

Now the video is everywhere, making him look like a jerk.

Sure, they should have answered his question, "Who are you?"

He had no obligation whatsoever to speak to them while they refused to identify themselves.

Walk on, congressman.

Instead, he grabbed one by the wrist, then by the back of the neck while repeating, "Who are you?"

At least he didn't start slapping.

How embarrassing.

Note to the congressman's staff: Don't let him out alone.

(No statement on Etheridge's House Web site or campaign site, where he's definitely looking friendlier.)

Update: Etheridge apologizes: “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.”

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Posted by Doug Clark on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 10:59 am

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Doug Johnson

June 14, 2010 - 12:34 pm EDT

First he should be charged!
Then the media, should demand his resignation.
Neither will happen.

Doug

June 14, 2010 - 12:40 pm EDT

The "victim" can swear out a warrant for assault if he wants.

I certainly would not call for Etheridge's resignation over this. There's an election coming up. The voters can have their say.

Connie Mack Jr

June 14, 2010 - 1:12 pm EDT

Don't worry! Help is on the way! Nathan Tabor said he could take down Bob with his world famous tickle toe hold,,,,,And "Who are you" Doug to report a frat food political fight between teenagers........

just a thought

June 14, 2010 - 1:04 pm EDT

He has made a statement now.
http://etheridge.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=190412
.

Doug

June 14, 2010 - 1:09 pm EDT

Thanks. It says:

“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.”

It sounds sincerely contrite. It should help him defuse this, but we'll see.

Paul Daniels

June 14, 2010 - 3:26 pm EDT

Doug:

I don't fully understand your posts. First you say that a "trap" was set for the congressman. So, the fact that a congressman in our nations capital is walking down the street, greeted by a person with a camera (hardly rare in D.C.) and asked if he "fully supports the Obama agenda" is a trap for a seasoned politician? You seem to be trying to rationalize what clearly appears to be a battery on the cameraman. The fact that he has apologize makes things ok? If assault is not a basis for an elected official to resign his high office (and as a minor elected official, I believe it is) then what is?

Best regards,

Paul Daniels

Doug

June 14, 2010 - 3:45 pm EDT

Thanks, Paul.

Maybe set-up would have been a better word than trap. Either way, it is deliberately rude to greet someone by pointing a camera in his face. If you want to conduct an interview, you introduce yourself, then say, "May I ask you some questions?" The question itself may have been designed to take a soundbite out of context. "Do you support the Obama agenda?" What does that mean? Which part of the Obama agenda? Etheridge does not support all of the Obama agenda. For example, he voted against repeal of don't ask-don't tell. However, he has supported most of the Obama agenda. This question, however, was not designed to get at nuance.

By the way, I suspect the young men were given a script with strict orders not to identify themselves. Why would that be?

Nevertheless, I am not making excuses for Etheridge's foolish reaction. But all assaults are not alike. This one didn't appear to rise to the level of battery. If I were the "victim," I wouldn't press charges. There was no injury, no intent to inflict physical harm.

(As an aside, Strom Thurmond pinched my wife on the butt at a Capitol Hill social event in 1982. She did not press charges, and I did not punch him in the nose, even though it could have earned us 15 minutes of fame. Whatever his intent, the old goat didn't do any harm.)

A more serious assault would be grounds for resignation. Again, I believe the voters in the 2nd congressional district can place judgment on this.

tonymo

June 14, 2010 - 7:38 pm EDT

You have spent much of your time making excusces for Ethridge as you are saying I'm not making excuses for Ethridge, BUT.......!

This incident was even better in HD on my 52" Plasma. This is the same rag that specializes in trying to tarnish any Tea Party event because of "signs" you don't like, or the event in D.C. where there were "reports" of racial slurs that were never validated despite hte plethora of recording devices within earshot, or in Durham where this rag reported that "on woman" claimed.....!

Now here it is on film. Ethridge was not accosted. Two kids walked up and him a simple question. the rest is forever on film, and still the Demo-Rat apologists try to cover for him. "Oh, he apologized." That's all a Demo-Rat has to do, apologize and the media hacks tell us, "okay, it's over, he made a "sincere" apology. Some must be mind readers! The Ethridge i saw on that film seemed to be a nasty, combative individual who doesn't want to be questioned about his views.

I remember after Trent Lott's faux paux at a private birthday party, he went on bended knee to apologize for the next week. I'm hoping Doug or any of his D-Rat apologists will send me a copy of their columns, saying, "okay, he's apologized, and it appeared to be sincere, so we need to let him remain Majority Leader!" Some on the left even wanted him out of the senate.

Once more please Doug, tell us there is no liberal bias in the media, including this rag!

Paul Daniels

June 15, 2010 - 9:26 am EDT

Doug:

Strom was certainly a ladies man, wasn't he? :) One of my favorite stories from my time on Capitol Hill was one I read in Roll Call. The 50th anniversary of D-Day was approaching and the paper was reporting on members of congress who had been at D-Day to see if they had plans to return. Strom, who was a 41 year old glider pilot at D-Day, and was 91 as of the 50th anniversary, was reported as stating that he had a conflict on that day and would not be returning to that hallowed ground. You see, his youngest child was graduating from high school that day.

I think you and both agree that we should expect the highest standards of conduct from our elected officials. While I agree that the proper way to do an interview is to greet the subject and ask for an interview, bad manners is no justification for battery (and legally speaking, I believe that this was "an offensive touching" and therefore battery). We would not tolerate this sort of behavior from a little league coach or actors and actresses visa vie the papparazi. Why would we condone it from a United States Congressman? If we were to turn this around, and have the young man do the same thing to the congressman, I wager he would be charged with a federal felony for attacking a member of congress.

Best regards,

Paul Daniels

Doug

June 15, 2010 - 12:07 pm EDT

Thanks, Paul. Etheridge's opponent, Renee Ellmers, was very gracious about this:

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/after_video_ellmers_sees...

Her generous response makes her much more appealing by contrast.

brian444

June 14, 2010 - 4:31 pm EDT

Doug, you have a seriously low threshold for "sincerely contrite."

He acted like a jerk because he is a jerk, and now he's a jerk on video. Normal people, even normal politicians, just don't behave like that.

Doug

June 14, 2010 - 4:46 pm EDT

I believe his apology is sincere. Politically, of course, it was his only route out of this, but he ought to be sorry and I'm sure he is.

What makes you think he's usually a jerk? I haven't heard any reports saying that. I'm not personally acquainted with the congressman.

Maybe something else explains his ill humor on this occasion. Was liquor served at the fundraiser? A lot? Did Nancy stiff him on the campaign cash?

This incident does not recommend Etheridge for re-election, in my opinion, but voters in his district have to view it in context of his overall record and the relative merits of his opponent. They're in the best position to judge.

brian444

June 14, 2010 - 11:51 pm EDT

"Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina, I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect." Always?

"No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response." My "poor response" was their fault.

"I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse." Always? Was this an example?

This is the classic press release apology in the proximity of which the word "sincere" has no place.

Doug, the guy is a jerk because only jerks behave like that. I'll give the punching activist a break because he clearly lost his cool and snapped, but this was calculated bullying. Behavior reveals character.

Doug

June 15, 2010 - 8:52 am EDT

That's a good dissection of Etheridge's statement, and I admit his behavior was deliberate bullying. But, just as I did not agree that Trent Lott needed to resign for a single indiscretion, I hold to that position regarding Etheridge.

Doug Johnson

June 14, 2010 - 4:50 pm EDT

I would bet if this was a republican, you be screaming bloody murder for his resignation.
Like I always say, one set of rules for conservatives, and another for Obama lap dogs.
Exact reason papers are on the decline, and it a damn shame.
Papers used to be the watch dog for the people, now their are the guard dog for the liberals.
Bye my wife says, I must think I am Obama spending all my time on the golf course and letting the work go.
Heck, works for him.

Doug

June 14, 2010 - 4:54 pm EDT

How are you going to win your bet, Doug? Are you going to find a similar incident where I did scream bloody murder for the Republican's resignation? Or are you just showing your blind prejudice once again?