H/T to Big Government for the video below of Congressman Bob Etheridge (D) freaking out and actually laying his hands on a student in the middle of a sidewalk for simply daring to ask him if he supports Obama's agenda.
Not sure why the kid didn't just answer him when the Congressmen knocked the camera away, grabbed him and insisted to know "who are you"?, but that doesn't give Ethridge any right whatsoever to get physical with the kid.
Mike Flynn, via Big Government, gets the last word:
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 shown a politician who can be beaten this November. Act accordingly.
Renee Ellmers is the challenger, here is her website. As Flynn said, act accordingly.
[Update] Etheridge has issued a statement with an apology for his behavior:
“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.”
National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Jon Thompson e-mailed a comment to ABC11:
“Bob Etheridge has lost it. His conduct is unbecoming of a member of Congress. It's bad enough that he's joined Obama's assault on North Carolina jobs, but his physical assault on a college student goes beyond the pale.”
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