Etheridge Altercation With "Student" Caught on Tape, Goes Viral

Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge of North Carolina lost his cool on camera in a video that is making the rounds of the conservative blogosphere today.

Etheridge was walking down the street when he was approached by a pair of camera-wielding questioners.

As one asks if Etheridge “fully supports the Obama agenda,” a visibly agitated Etheridge asks, “Who are you?” He repeats the question and appears to slam the camera with his hand.

In the edited video, which you can watch above, Etheridge is then shown holding the wrist of one of the questioners and repeatedly asking him to identify himself.

The two people will only identify as students and say they are “just here for a project.” In the video, the face of the student in the shot with Etheridge is blurred.

“I have a right to know who you are,” the congressman says, holding one man’s arm. The pair refuse to tell him where they are from and repeat that “all we are is students.”

Etheridge then grabs one of the self-identified students by the neck and pulls him next to him, apparently so that his face will appear on camera.

Etheridge apologized for his actions in a statement Monday.

“I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved,” he said. “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.”

Read more: (Brian Montopoli, “Bob Etheridge Altercation With “Student” Caught on Tape, Goes Viral,” CBS’ “Political Hotsheet” blog, 06/14/2010)