news-record.com

While the identity of two young men confronting U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge on a Washington sidewalk last week isn't clear, his belligerent response clearly was unacceptable.

Whether partisan political operatives or college students, as alleged, they deserved to be treated civilly.

To his credit, Etheridge, a Democrat representing the state's 2nd Congressional District, promptly apologized after a video of the incident taken by one of the young men was splashed across the Internet.

If he had that moment in time back, he undoubtedly would walk away, answer or ask his inquisitors to schedule an appointment with his office.

What did happen, however, was unsettling and its political fallout may well be a factor in his re-election campaign. On the video, an agitated Etheridge repeatedly demands, "Who are you?" and grabs his questioner by the wrist, then by the nape of the neck.

No matter the scenario, such behavior can't be tolerated. Politicians, in particular, should know that their every move is subject to being tracked by just about anyone with a video camera or cell phone in his pocket. Fatigue or a bad day at the office can't be an excuse for manhandling someone who annoys you or invades your space.

Not surprisingly, some Republicans are calling for Lillington resident Etheridge to resign. For now, his relatively unknown opponent, Renee Ellmers of Dunn, says she's not going to take advantage of the situation.

Yet the ugly incident should be fair game during the campaign. It's up to Etheridge, who first was elected to Congress in 1996, to convince 2nd District voters that the inexcusable outburst was a one-time intemperate indiscretion, not a character flaw.

At the same time, the public needs to know more about who made the video and their motives. But even if it was "ambush journalism," Etheridge should have reacted differently.