Etheridge Apologizes After Grabbing Videographer

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge apologized today for actions caught on video recently by two young men who caught up with him outside a Washington fundraiser.

The video shows Etheridge grabbing the wrist of one of the men, and then by the nape of the neck, while repeatedly asking, “Who are you?”

“I have seen the video posted on several blogs. I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved,” Etheridge said in a prepared statement.

“Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina, I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect,” he said. “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.”

In a news conference, Etheridge apologized again.

“I apologize for my actions. They were unacceptable,” Etheridge said. “No matter how difficult things get sometimes, that’s no excuse for my response.”

Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat, was leaving a fundraiser in Washington headlined by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi when two guys with video cameras met him, according to a blog post on Big Government, a site affiliated with conservative commentator and publisher Andrew Breitbart.

“Do you fully support the Obama agenda?” says one of the guys, as Etheridge asks “Who are you?”

Etheridge repeats the question several times as he tries to swat one of the cameras out of his face.

Read more: (Barbara Barrett and Ben Niolet, “Etheridge Apologizes After Grabbing Videographer,” The News & Observer, 06/14/2010)