WASHINGTON, DC -- Hours after a video showing him roughly grabbing an unidentified photographer hit the Internet and went "viral", Congressman Bob Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat, issued an official apology through his congressional office.
"I have seen the video posted on several blogs. I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved." Etheridge wrote. "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."
The timing of the video is certain to haunt Etheridge, currently serving his seventh term in Congress, as he faces off against Republican Renee Ellmers in the general election less than five months from now.
As to the question raised by the photographer, Etheridge voted both for President Obama's health care overhaul as well as the Democratic climate change legislation referred to by opponents as "cap-and-trade".
Ellmers' campaign could not be reached for comment, and no comment had been posted on her Facebook or Twitter feeds at the time this article was published.
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