Congressman’s Sidewalk Scuffle Captured on YouTube

Someone needs to remind North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge that this here is the Internet age, that he is a public figure, and that high jinks like this scuffle, which hit the Web on Monday, should be avoided at all costs. Too late this time, Congressman.

Etheridge later apologized at a press conference and on his official website, saying, “I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction. ...  I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse.” The man the Democrat grabbed in the sidewalk incident said he was a student, but his identity was not immediately known.

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, who once worked for Etheridge, said in an e-mail, “... I’m proud of Bob for taking responsibility and apologizing. ...” —KA