June 14th, 2010
12:52 PM ET
13 years ago
Etheridge apologizes for confrontation
(CNN) - Rep. Bob Etheridge apologized Monday for his physical confrontation with two young men who identified themselves as students and asked if the North Carolina Democrat "fully supports the Obama agenda."
"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."
Yep, nothing like video evidence of criminal assault to encourage a weak-tea apology. I'm sure that'll be considered enough though.
That's what happens to the rest of us, right? You get charged with assault and sentenced to a public apology.
sorry he got caught thats about it. . You cant learn a lesson when you have the media blaming the victims and making excuses for the criminals and abusers bcause they have money or happen to be a certain skin colors..He should spend time in jail and learn what he did was wrong like everybody else would have to! Nobody is above the law. Not illegals and certainly not congress whos salory comes from us the taxpayers!
The Congressman should be ashamed of his actions. He certainly owes an apology to these young students, as well as his constituents.It's time these Congressman understand that they too are just normal Americans, not the holier than thou impersonators that some try to portray. It's time for TERM LIMITS for all who serve in Washington. November is coming, it's time to STAND UP AMERICA.
He apologizes that he got caught. If the average citizen did this the assault and battery charges would have already been handed out. Are politicians above the law? He was leaving a political fundraiser so no excuse of he was going to vote. This is a great chance to see what type of standard Pelosi and Obama holds to her Party. If any standard Congress should have already kicked him out.
All he did was assault him. Had he made fun of his hair, he'd really be in trouble....
I hope that the people of North Carolina demand his resignation! He is obviously dangerously tired of being a Congressman.
'Who's sorry now' song pops I my head. Why wait until youtube to push your sorry arse excuse?
he would never have apoligized if the video wasn't online
This guy has got to be kidding. He assaulted a well dressed student who asked him a question in a very respective manner. If this guy had done this to my kid, he would be at the dentist right now getting fitted for a new set of front teeth. This man has obviously been there too long and needs to go. He should be charged with assault and battery, and be required to take anger management classes.
This man should be arrested and held accountable for his actions.
No he didn't, he made an excuse. He said he "always" promotes civility. By definition, he's wrong, and didn't apologize.
I've seen the video and he looked like he was either drunk, crazy, or both.
Nice try CNN, burying this deep in your "ticker" because it involves a democratic congressman assaulting (w/battery) a young alternative newsman. I think this just gave his opponent the needed momentum that will turn this "leans democrat" to a "leans republican" seat. The typical tolerant left isn't so tolerant anymore when the light is shined on them.
This incident should serve as a lesson for all professional politicians. Carry your self with decorum and maturity. Think before you act!!
Why is this guy not in jail? Because the Regime is in control. How DARE you ask a Congressman a question on the street.
When CNN yells out questions to Congressmen, have you ever seen them grab Wolf Blitzer by the throat?
"who are you?? I have a RIGHT to know!!"
Sounds like a line from an old movie with the German SS Officer interrogating people on a bus.
Scary what Democrats have turned into now that they have a majority in 2 of the 3 branches of government. Will be scarier when they control the 3rd branch.
Sorry, not good enough. This guy should be arrested for assault.
He's sorry - sorry he got caught.
An apology is good, but I'd like to know what set him off in the first place. People typically don't commit assault without reason.
"To date, the media has not been able to accurately judge WHAT it is that is causing public discontent, so I imagine the 2010 results will be very much where they are today."
That's because the "news" media is central to the problem. Physician heal thyself? Hardly. The he-said-she-said nature of the "news" media's stillborn version of "journalism" treats idiocy such as "death panels" as though it is an accusation meriting serious debate, instead of quick, easily-assembled debunking in order to protect and disseminate the truth, inform the public, etc. By always siding with "if a politician said it, it must have SOME merit," the "news" media abolishes truth in favor of always seeking to sensationalize the next hot-button controversy in order to drum up a story they can milk for several days instead of being stuck with one short piece saying something along the lines of "ummm, no, look right here at the actual proposed legislative language and you can see that such asccusations are clearly spurious political nonsense." Research costs money...both up front AND by putting the truth out there to end "debate" that can be milked. In any event, the "news" media is as much to blame for massive public discontent as the liars whose lies they publish and ignore on a daily basis. They benefit by stirring up discontent as much as the minority party does. Ad revenue is the new arbiter of truth and justice in our society.
Pathetic. Absolutely Pathetic. The kid simply asked you one queston. He didn't start name calling & it's not your RIGHT to know his name. A real grownup would have simply said No time to talk, No comment or just walked away. Instead this Rep. decides to engage in an argument over a question.
I hope the kid brings you up on charges – there is NO EXCUSE FOR YOUR BEHAVIOR.
Apology UNACCEPTED.
RESIGN
How about if CNN posts the video link? It is clear from it that this U.S. Rep. should be charged with assault and battery. The college kids, in suit and tie, politely ask a simple question. He goes absolutely berserk. How dare you speak to me??!! Time to retire this guy in NC!
The only reason why this guy is apologizing is because he got caught and is was placed on the internet. He evidently thought he was above any normal standard the rest of society has to follow by crabbing this young man. If you look at how tight a hold he has on the yoing man it tell you he feels powerful and has the right to control and hold people whom he feels he can.
Apparently Democrats don't like being asked if they support President Obama's policies. It must be offensive to them. If they say "yes" then they are admitting how loony left they are and become targets for the American public to vote them out. How sad it is when you can't say with pride that you support your own Democrat President's policy in public. I hope the two press charges against this out of control rep. He clearly is the prime example of the Democrat party today. Angry, angry, angry.
Why do politicians, and other people of varying notoriety, do stupid things, and then give the "I'm sorry" excuse? I’m sure just like all other (overwhelmingly) white persons in public office or power he will get away from this with just a slap on the wrist (if that).
He needs to be arrested.....just because he's a congressman does not give him the right to lay his hands on anyone!!!
Don't let him get a way with this...what kind of example is this...