Bob Etheridge Attacks Student: North Carolina Congressman Gets Rough With Interviewer (VIDEO)

UPDATE:

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) has apologized for his combative behavior over the weekend in a statement released by his office:

"I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved," Etheridge 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."

EARLIER:

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) appeared unreceptive to the question of an anonymous reporter this weekend, when he grabbed the self-identified "student" after he asked the congressman if he "fully supported the Obama agenda."

In the video, the North Carolina lawmaker is seen approaching the camera, while the reporter asks, "Hi, Congressman. How are you? Do you fully support the Obama agenda?"

Etheridge appears visibly irritated and immediately asks, "who are you?" before knocking the interviewer's camera to the ground.

In the next shot, Etheridge grabs the reporter's wrist and continually asks him to identify himself. The cameraman replies, "we're just here for a project...we're just students."

Over at Big Government, a post accompanying the video provides the following commentary on the encounter:

Expect more of this. A hard, progressive left captured the Democrat majority in Congress and forced them to enact a fantasy grab-bag of legislation that is increasingly unpopular with the American public. We're on the cusp of a deeper recession, millions of unemployed Americans have no prospect for work, taxes are about to spike higher and we've maxed out the national credit card. The Democrats were given a chance to run government and they've only succeeded in running it into the ground.

[...]

Let's recap what we saw on this video. A sitting Congressman-a presumed living extension of James Madison and other founding fathers-was asked on a public street whether he supported the President's agenda. His response was to hit away a video camera and assault a student. The age of Pericles this ain't.

It is going to be a long, hot summer. But, you've been given a target. Act accordingly.

Mediaite, in a response to the Big Government post, writes about the problems with anonymous inflammatory assault interviews, and argues that it might be this new brand of "journalism" that has Etheridge on edge.

Now, Etheridge's actions are only partially defensible. He need not have gotten physical with the students who asked him the provocative question regarding his support of the "Obama Agenda" (honestly, that sort of opening question is straight from the Jason Mattera school of inflammatory interview techniques.)

But little is known about these "students." The YouTube video is published under an account titled TonyManization, and even more damning is that the faces of the individuals asking the Congressman questions are blurred out. Hmmm...nothing like the courage of the anonymous protester.

Which brings us back to Etheridge's response. Yeah - he comes off as a jerk, but...when in Rome. It will be interesting to follow how this story plays out in the news media. Will it be a big story? Probably not, but apparently being prepared for ambush interviews from eager college kids is the next phase of media training for many on Capitol Hill.

WATCH:

UPDATE:

DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse addressed the video in a statement Monday:

"Motives matter, and I think you can see who was behind this," Woodhouse said. "This was a Republican party tracking operation. If it wasn't a party tracker or intern, why is the face blurred and why is the source hidden? You know if it had been a right wing blog, they'd identify themselves and they'd be booking this person on TV all day. Republicans know if they admit their involvement in this game of gotcha it will undermine their credibility. One minute this guy is interviewing a member of Congress on camera and the next a video is released with his face blurred out? If that doesn't tell you this is a Republican Party hatchet job nothing will."

Comments

[gamoonbat]

10:04 PM on 08/07/2010

Was this student the same Spencer Meads who later turned up at Media Matters to accuse Ari Rabin-Havt of working for George Soros?

[trestradapalma]

07:19 AM on 07/30/2010

http://artedetomas.blogspot.com/2010/07/congressman-bob-etheridge.html

[thebruce]

08:23 PM on 07/22/2010

Pushing to the side all politics and specifically whether or not this was a "Republican Hatchet Job" as some have claimed; this man committed assault no matter how you cut it (just grabbing the camera would have sufficed). If he was antagonized, who cares? If you or I did that, and a police officer saw it, what do you think would happen? Seriously people. Politics aside, he should be held accountable for his actions just like a normal citizen.

[timmyt]

01:14 AM on 07/03/2010

Thank you all for admitting to me individually how I am the ony one that completely grasped this issue and correctly commentated on what should be the appropriate outcome.....it's nice to know you all hold my superior intelligence to you all's in such higher esteem! In the future, just post when you feel motivated and I will insert myself into the discussion when I feel that you all are incapable of understanding the point and need clarity and superior intellect to get you back on track.

[DocSkull]

04:15 PM on 06/20/2010

I see that when Joe "You Lie" Wilson's offices are spray-painted by persons unknown, HuPo criticizes the right wing press for assuming that it was Democrats. However, when Etheridge has an encounter with persons who are also unknown you assume that they are reporters and that Etheridge is the aggressor. Why the double standard?

[narfpaul]

03:07 PM on 06/21/2010

There is no double standard and I can't fathom watching this video and coming to any other conclusion about who acted inappropriately. This reporter could have been a reporter or not, a democrat or not, someone with an agenda or not, the identity and motives of the interviewer do not give Bob the right to respond in a physical manner. I don't care if these people mercilessly provoked this congressmen to the point of stalking, there are legal avenues to deal with such problems. In this case party affiliation is a non-issue.

The right wing press should be criticized in assuming the party affiliation of the assailant of the 'you lie' vandalism because at this point it is unknowable and nothing more than speculation. Huffington Post is not assuming Etheridge is the aggressor, they are simply reporting the events that took place in this video.

[DocSkull]

05:57 PM on 06/21/2010

"This reporter could have been a reporter or not "

That is exactly my point.

"In this case party affiliation is a non-issue."

Their shouted question was hardly non-partisan!

"Huffington Post is not assuming Etheridge is the aggressor, they are simply reporting the events that took place in this video."

Sure they assume that Etheridge is the aggressor. The title says "Etheridge Attacks Student" and reports "Etheridge appears visibly irritated and immediately asks, "who are you?" before knocking the interviewer's camera to the ground." Etheridge smacked the camera away because they shoved it in his face. The kid picks up the camera and goes to do it again so the Congressman grabbed his wrist. Continuing to ask who they were. When asked to let go he did, but first turned the boy around so that his face would appear in the second camera. Which they didn't like at all, so they blurred it out.

So who they? When is someone going to answer Etheridge's question?

[ReedYoung]

05:45 PM on 06/24/2010

That's right. You don't.

"I don't like your opinions, however, if I saw you in the streets I certainly wouldn't start putting my hands on you demanding to know who you are because it doesn't matter, I don't have that right."

That's true. Do you believe you have the right to take recordings of people without our express consent in advance?

A simple "yes" or "no" would be preferred. Thanks.

[rshrink]

08:08 PM on 06/18/2010

The oil companies, that price fix, the bankers on Wall Street, who fail and get bail out money and the corporate military (industrialized military complex), need to keep the repubs in office so that they can continue to rip off the American people. So vote in more repubs of any brand of deceitful rhetoric and we will continue to pollute, make financial deals that go south, spill more oil, fail to make any progress in new energy technology, fail to make the necessary repairs to our infrastructure and fail to create an environment that will get people back to work. Elect more democrats that are not conservatives and we will start making positive progress. That is the real choice. We saw the repubs in power fixing the system to serve the big corporations so that they could add to their already enormous profits. We saw the jobs leave the country. We saw dems try to change things, other than the conservative ones and the repubs, in lock step, opposed them everytime.

[fourtruth]

01:41 PM on 06/17/2010

I can't get the video to run. But just looking at the picture I can't tell who that is, might be his son for all I know telling him he can't keepthe car out all night anymore.

I'm going to agree with Woodward:

DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse addressed the video in a statement Monday:

"Motives matter, and I think you can see who was behind this," Woodhouse said. "This was a Republican party tracking operation. If it wasn't a party tracker or intern, why is the face blurred and why is the source hidden? You know if it had been a right wing blog, they'd identify themselves and they'd be booking this person on TV all day. Republicans know if they admit their involvement in this game of gotcha it will undermine their credibility. One minute this guy is interviewing a member of Congress on camera and the next a video is released with his face blurred out? If that doesn't tell you this is a Republican Party hatchet job nothing will."

[de-meme-ing]

02:42 PM on 06/17/2010

And so blurring the face after the fact, gives the congressman permission to assault someone? Not according to the law, but then, I guess democrats are now above the law. I certainly don't want to hear no more pissing and moaning from the democrats about Bush thinking he is above the law.

Woodhouse? Whiner.

[fourtruth]

04:46 PM on 06/17/2010

Who said anyone was above the law? Not in my post. According to the story the young man approached him as a reporter. Is that not correct? There is no presumption of privacy under that condition. The story is out, why blurr the face, how does this help him or any Democrates postion? As stated in the article is just further detriment to them.

I'm not justifying in any way the actions, I say "out with this guy" if this is correct as portrayed by the headline and hype - and I do not see any other outcome if this proves out, I don't care what party. But there are too many questions, like he may be 17 but looks 20? Still no justification to assualt other than self defense, but does certainly provides a much different story line. And still "out with the guy" if unprovoked.

Woodhouse, Whiner. So what. Bite me. Bush is to blame for everything he did, and as is the case with most scoundrels, they are seldom if ever around to be responsible to clean up their own messes, same for Clinton, Nixon, Oliver North (Reagan/Bush I), Carter. Carter? The oil spill must surely be Carters fault? NO?

[DocSkull]

08:40 PM on 06/17/2010

What assault? Etheridge didn't intend to harm anyone and didn't harm anyone. He was the one pursued by persons unknown.

[Omnix]

11:01 AM on 06/17/2010

There is something fishy about this video, and it reeks of a trap. In the opening shots, as the senator gets to the "reporter" he is looking down at something the "reporter" is holding. It appears that the senator yanks it from the "reporter", and then starts in on the tirade. I get the feeling it is some scandalous photo or something the senator would prefer not get aired. His response has made the situation worse, and could have serious ramifications. The best move for the senator now would be to come clean and explain why he reacted the way he did.

[mwat35]

01:39 PM on 06/17/2010

First off he is a representative not a senator. And no matter the context he assaulted a reporter.

[Omnix]

02:22 PM on 06/17/2010

True, I don't know why I said senator... Additionally, I'm not defending his actions. I'm curious to find out what the "reporter" was holding that seems to be the source of Representative Etheridge's ire. Was it a scandalous photo? A threat on his family? What? We need to look at all of the facts before we make up our minds. It could conceivably make it worse for Etheridge. I don't know; I just want the truth. This whole thing just smells real fishy...

[DocSkull]

09:32 AM on 06/18/2010

"And no matter the context he assaulted a reporter."

Really, what news agency do they work for?

[BrickSykes]

01:43 PM on 06/17/2010

Hi, Guys! The first thing Bob should do is clear up a little misunderstanding. He should explain to his fans that he is NOT a Senator, but a Democratic Congressman from North Carolina ( a 'Representative' [Rep.], as they're called.) All are members of Congress, but representatives (Rep.) serve in the House of Representatives while Senators serve in The Senate. Representatives serve two-year terms; Senators serve six-year terms. (I think thats correct)

Brick

[Spokane]

10:32 AM on 06/17/2010

He should have waited for the guy with the mike to get our of sight and then called in some M-13 members to take him out and lay it on 'em. Lucky microphone boy was not in California or he really wudda got his %#^ beat.

[de-meme-ing]

10:31 AM on 06/17/2010

I have to chuckle at the politics of the left and how they are so willing to turn a victim into a perpetrator, accused of an "assault" because the kid had the chutzpa to ask a "provocative" question.

Students beware, you will be assaulted: Don't ask the tough questions. Sit down and shut up like the trained professionals before you?

The only "assault" that occurred in this encounter was by the congressman. He should be arrested.

[DocSkull]

10:52 AM on 06/17/2010

"I have to chuckle at the politics of the left and how they are so willing to turn a victim into a perpetrator..."

In what way did Etheridge instigate this incident? You say it is assault, but you don't say what it was.

[InfernoTIE]

02:27 PM on 06/17/2010

By your logic, Rodney King was just looking for his lost contact and those nice LAPD guys were helping him.

[Robert Mendez]

09:26 AM on 06/17/2010

Etheridge is a whacko. He's lucky he didn't grab my arm. I'd have him down on the pavement in a single strike. His statement about promoting a civil public discourse - a bold face lie. Obviously his attorney wrote that statement for him.

[DocSkull]

10:55 AM on 06/17/2010

"His statement about promoting a civil public discourse - a bold face lie."

Single Strike, when he says civil public discourse he is referring to the way he was accosted on the street by people who wouldn't identify themselves or explain who they were.

[InfernoTIE]

02:35 PM on 06/17/2010

This tinnitus must be worse than I thought. Somehow my addled brain heard " We are students working on a project". Several times, in fact. Must get that seen to.

[Jimmernmi]

08:24 AM on 06/17/2010

Stop voting, your vote counts for nothing. Our final option is to starve the beast we have allowed to grow, do everything you can to not send your money to a government that cares only for itself.

[sydneymoon]

08:32 AM on 06/17/2010

This has what to do w/ the price of eggs?

[sydneymoon]

08:36 AM on 06/17/2010

I know, I know it's a tangent thought.

[Dadeo]

06:59 AM on 06/17/2010

Might be a graduate of the OReilly/Jenkins School of Journalism.

[gamoonbat]

09:25 AM on 06/17/2010

A James O'Keefe fellow!

[CoryH]

10:06 AM on 06/17/2010

Ever hear of Michael Moore?

[DocSkull]

10:58 AM on 06/17/2010

Yeah, Michael Moore makes repeated requests for interviews. If he can't get one then he'll try to catch them. His first words are "I'm Michael Moore and I'm making a movie about..."

[TuffGuy56]

05:45 AM on 06/17/2010

He is quite clearly drunk or other-wise intoxicated. Listen to to how he slurs the "Who are you?

Also, the kid should have asked permission to interview the guy, but man, what an over-reaction. There's a seat for this guy in AA!

[Randy Roy]

09:15 AM on 06/17/2010

How can you say anything about looped vocals on a video. If the video had not been edited, looped, and clearly manipulated any slurring could be counted, but not after it has been manipulated. Hey this was a popular trick in the 80's with music videos.

[rshrink]

09:50 PM on 06/17/2010

Exactly Randy. Without knowing who produced this and how it was produced, it is worthless. I would imagine that it would be thrown out of court. It won't be thrown into court in the first place, because the plant doesn't want to be identified.

[DocSkull]

11:03 AM on 06/17/2010

"Listen to to how he slurs the "Who are you?"

That isn't slurring, it is a southeastern North Carolina accent.

[InfernoTIE]

03:15 PM on 06/17/2010

I agree. He sounds a lot like Fritz Hollings.

[General Public]

05:38 AM on 06/17/2010

I would be suspicious too if someone with a blurred-out face came up to me asking questions. I would also ask them "Who are you?" because, with a blurred-out face like that, you really can't tell who someone is. I've never seen someone with a blurred-out face in person before, and I understand the Congressman's reaction to seeing such an abomination entirely. I would act the same way if I saw someone who was all blurred out like that in real life.

[gamoonbat]

09:27 AM on 06/17/2010

I have seen someone who looked like that a few times back in the day. I woke up the next morning with an awful headache.