Of Course… Dems Defend Congressman For Violently Assaulting Student
Posted by Jim Hoft on Monday, June 14, 2010, 3:45 PM
It’s Andrew Breitbart’s fault, or something…
Democrat’s are defending Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC2) for violently assaulting a student who asked him, “Do you support the Obama agenda?” on a Washington street.
It was a very offensive question, after all.
The DNC is defending Etheridge for this assault:
The DNC sent their talking points to Ben Smith at The Politico:
(Do they always send their talking points to Ben Smith?)
Bob Etheridge’s abject apology for roughing up an anonymous conservative videographer is being accompanied by a defense of the congressman from national Democrats.
“Motives matter, and I think you can see who was behind this,” said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse just now. “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.”
A national Democratic Party official e-mailed around a set of talking points about an hour ago, under the subject heading, “Etheridge Gotcha Video Background.”
Democrats are seeking to raise questions about the video, which first appeared on Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government, because of what’s widely viewed as the media’s mishandling of the ACORN story, which emerged without context from edited videos. In particular, party officials say the video was likely taken by a tracker for the Republican Party, which would explain the effort taken to conceal his identity.
So they’ve decided on their talking points- “It’s not Rep. Etheridge’s fault for assaulting a kid. It’s Andrew Breitbart’s fault for having a website.”
That makes sense.
What horrible people.
There’s more at The Politico.
UPDATE: Bob Etheridge’s opponent, Renee Ellmers, responded to the assault today.
UPDATE: Thug Etheridge apologized on camera later today.
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Published February 8, 2012 at 8:42 pm - 108 Comments
Militant Conservative commented:
Mayday Maydy, BOB is on fire! circle the wagons and protect the stupid moron. LOL you going down sucker.
pamlinson commented:
This cockroach needs to get his pink slip
bill-tb commented:
And here I thought Nancy was in tears over violence … such hypocrisy knows no bounds.
NC Cop commented:
CHANGE!!!!!
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Just_Saying commented:
Are they paranoid, or what? What makes a simple question lead one to believe that someone’s out to get them?
.
Larry Sinclair commented:
The Washington ComPost (Obama’s Newsletter) says that was a hug… o.k., maybe a Tony Soprano hug.
TalkinKamel commented:
That was, after all, a pretty simple question. If this is enough to make someone angry, they’re way too paranoid!
M. Schulte commented:
These liberals are used to spinning things any way they want and having the lapdog media “oh, okay, that must be it” – they can say anything and the stupid sheeple will just fall in line. November is not that far away – although sometimes it’s WAY too far away.
Reaganite Republican commented:
“Gotcha”?
He asked him if he fully supports the President’s positions… how’s that a trick question/trap?
Unless you’re filled with arrogant rage, fear, and contempt for the voters… should be no problem.
And any EVIDENCE before the DNC starts blaming the GOP, even going so far to say it’s “obvious”?
Prove it, losers- and see ya in November
bg commented:
++
OT..
Two Progressives on an Escalator
rotflmbo!!
==
Bruce commented:
Game of gotcha??? WTH???
So, Republicans tricked him into assaulting that kid?????
Sandy commented:
Whatever, Etheridge’s problem with Obama’s agenda — attacking these kids for asking a question is not the way to go.
Check out Renee Ellmers, Bob Etheridge’s Republican opponent. She sounds and looks terrific. I think a critical care nurse knows how to keep her cook in a crisis.
Sandy commented:
that is keep her cool — sorry.
SeniorD commented:
The Democrook Party-like-its-1968 is simply following the lead of their titular head – President Zero’s Puppetmaster: always blame the other side.
As I’ve said elsewhere, the kid and his cameraperson should sue the pants of Etheridge, Etheridge’s Campaign Staff, and any one else they can think of. This is criminal behavior that shouldn’t stand unanswered.
Patman commented:
Makes complete sense to me…
Typical Republican thuggery.
Chisum commented:
The more I watch this video the more convinced I am that Bob had a massive hangover.
He looks like a binge drinking drunkard. And an all around nasty human being.
Kevin P commented:
Remember when County Counselor Patricia Redington filed assault charges against Richard Gephardt’s election opponent when he accidentally bumped a reporter who turned out to be a Gephardt plant???
Gephardt’s opponent accidentally knocked this guy down during a parade – and it was clearly an accident.
Battaboom commented:
Doesn’t Democrat Etheridge take one of the students phones (used in videotaping) and leave with it still in his hand?
He did not return it to the student.
Isn’t this a crime?
Kevin P commented:
Just Saying #5 – “What makes a simple question lead one to believe that someone’s out to get them?”
Because they are never QUESTIONED by the MSM.
Militant Conservative commented:
Even better, O.K. its a hug. Unwanted sexual contact via a Democrat. Your a sexual predator, your still gone. powder is dry.
jainphx commented:
You see here is the difference between them and us, if that had been a Republican, we ourselves would have asked him to resign. The demoncraps make excuses,”stand behind their man” and even reelect the scum, I mean how else do you explain Bawney Fwank.
DH commented:
The question was “Are you supporting the Obama agenda?”
If I were a Dem/Liberal, I would want to know why he didn’t say “Yes.”?
Elly commented:
Rep. Etheridge reacted inappropriately, and criminally plain and simple.
The rats can try and spin it anyway they please. No one is buying it.
DANEgerus commented:
It was certainly worse then Vince Young’s video taped assault over the weekend. At least Vince wasn’t man-handling kids because they dared ask him a question. So let me be the first… letting the Congressman off is “RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAcism”!!!!!!!!!!
Adam_ME commented:
Why is the student’s face blurred out? I don’t know, maybe because he saw what happened to Joe the Plumber and that Bank of America exec? Just a wild guess on my part.
Kevin P commented:
Jainphx #22 – EXACTLY!!!
Andreas K. commented:
Who are you?! Who are you?! Who are you?!
Sounds like a broken record.
Next time answer “I’m your worst nightmare.”
ice commented:
‘Motives matter’…….????
So…….what was the Senators ‘motive’ in assaulting these kids?
Lucky for those kids they didn’t ask something that would have really revealed their motives, like ‘do you have the time?’ or ‘can you give me directions?’ They could have gotten a serious beating!
This is a blatant violation of public trust.
vagabond trader commented:
So let me get this right. If someone in Philly is confronted with thugs weilding clubs at the polling station ,no big deal. A polite young man asks an inebriated cong-creature a civil question and he not only gets assaulted,but is subsequently blamed for the assault? Wow!
Dell commented:
Great post, Jim. Reposted at Uncoverage.net.
Maria commented:
Is it my imagination or the guy looked/ sounded drunk?
DocScience commented:
Isn’t speaking to one of our Democrat elite without being spoken to first against the law?
Gonna be.
C-Christian Soldier commented:
again–
StUdent and his U-niversity-should sUe the _ _ _ _ _ _d
figured this deserved a diversified rhyme!!
C-CS
Slappy commented:
“Motives matter, and I think you can see who was behind this,” said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse just now. “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.”
Sure thing, Brad, but all the one individual asked Bob Etheridge was “if he fully supported the Obama agenda,.” He also did so after pleasantly saying hi to Etheridge and asking how he was doing. Yet the DNC makes it sound like the two individuals (students) did something warranting his irrational reaction, including him shoving one of the individual’s camera then grabbing the other only seconds after meeting them and refusing to let go while demanding that they tell him who they are. How is that rational, appropriate behavior for anyone, much less an elected official?
Why does the DNC and its minions on the Left constantly resort to strawman arguments or attacking the victims when they do something inappropriate? Etheridge acted like a jerk who is not worthy of his office but the DNC comes out gunning for the victims, who, even if they were Republican operatives, did not say or do anything that warranted Etheridge’s unhinged response. How about the DNC show some character and simply admit that Etheridge was wrong? Or is the never-ending practice of blaming Republicans for all societal ills and confrontations simply too enticing to use in all instances?
jomojava commented:
A little friendly, playful hug…..Weren’t you just waiting for Etheridge to tickle the kid?
ogee commented:
Excuses excuses. Press charges. The kid was doing a school term paper. Sue the drunken senator for assault damages and punitary damages.
ogee commented:
Sue him for public intoxication.
Meg commented:
So the Republicans tricked him into assaulting a student just like they tricked all those Democrat voters into voting for Alvin Greene??? Yeah, that makes sense!
ogee commented:
The kid should have pulled his toupe off.
DavidL commented:
If motivations matter, then the DNC talking points also defend George Allen for referring to democrat plant as macaca. I fully expect a hundred plus articles from the Washington Post, not.
vagabond trader commented:
Yeah and who tricked all the useful idiots to vote for bho?
Well said # 35.
mark commented:
Etheridge is physically assaulting him while he demands his name. Pure threat and intimidation. Of course the kid isn’t going to talk while he’s being roughed up. This kid and his parents should press charges. That behavior is pathetic…and criminal.
Chris Vehr commented:
Heck, I’d be a little defensive if someone asked me that question, but I’d make darn sure the answer reflected the fact that I DON’T support Obama’s agenda.
If Etheridge didn’t do anything wrong, then why did he apologize?
Liberals are big babies. Big, lying, hateful babies. They prove it again everyday.
Granny commented:
The kid he assaulted needs to file formal assault charges. And Bob needs to take his chestnuts out of the fire and go home. Permanently.
Sarge commented:
So much is being made of the VICTIM of the assault choosing to remain anonymous… yet doesn’t the Democratic party champion anonymous whistleblowers?
(echo answers hollowly….)
ron ron commented:
next it will be Bush’s fault and then Global Warming.
SoldiersMom commented:
Has anyone else noticed how Dems/Repub leadership respond differently to these types of events. Republicans leaders usually fall all over themselves apologizing (think accusation of racial slur by TP protesters during healthcare vote in DC). Republican’s first response was to apologize rather than demanding evidence of accusation.
Democrats, on the other hand, either 1) remain silent, or 2) defend inexcusable behavior. Either way, they never seem to pay a price with voters.
Etheridge should be toast in November, but it’s a sad state when you can’t be 100% sure that he won’t get away with this thuggish behavior. I never imagined that Zero would have been elected after the Rev. Wright and “spread the wealth” videos showed up. I thought he was toast after that too. It’s a scary world we live in when our fates are in the hands of either ill-informed or American Idol type voters. They proclaim themselves “proud independents.” I call ‘em something else; mushy middle, being the kindest.
Old One commented:
We are witnessing a replay of the pre-Civil War brakdown of civility and support for a free society in the Denmocrat Party.
How soon will it be before a 21st century version of democrat Congressman Bully Brroks launches a physical attack that leaves a republican member of Congress permanently crippled as did Brooks’ vicious makes a disabling attacks on Sen. Charles Sumner?
The democorrupts now need only many bolts of brown cloth for tailoring to prove they are the party of fascist tyranny.
xxx commented:
ODonkeys hate Tea Parties. However, they like Crack, blaming Bush, fiscal irresponsibility, beating up and killing old ladies and bowing to terrorists.
Arius commented:
Old One, you see the trend! Democrats are very sick and dangerous puppies.
Insufficiently Sensitive commented:
The DNC and its MSM partner vigorously defend Democrats who run non-transparent operations – for instance, Obama’s campaign for President, in which his school records were all legally sealed to prevent public knowlege of them. The MSM putanas didn’t even make a feeble attempt to have them unsealed.
Of course, when curious citizens ask a Democrat a question, the DNC doesn’t defend the ‘public’s right to know’. It just knee-jerks to attacking the questioner, accusing him of being a Republican or a racist or anti-Semite, whatever’s handy. All part of supporting Democrat-party violence against the public.
Ginger commented:
Meg……. That cute little picture you have there has made me smile! He is so cute…. or shall I say handsome as my grand son would say.
flipside commented:
Funny how thin skinned Dems. are, they dish it out but can’t take it. Etheridge’s Macacca moment? And what if there was a R next to his name instead of a D? We’d have 22 straight shows with Chrissy Mathews on the confrontation.
John Hetman commented:
Congressman Etherdge is a violent and dangerous man. He should be brought up on assault and battery charges. The Left is this country are balancing on a tightrope of lies and thuggery.
bg commented:
++
Adam_ME @ 2:12 pm #26
re: [Why is the student’s face blurred out?]
i agree with Joe the Plumber scenario..
or worse, they could show up at his front door
chanting things like death to kafirs, oh wait..
another consideration would be
that he’s under-age so to speak..
==
Robert commented:
“If it wasn’t a party tracker or intern, why is the face blurred and why is the source hidden?”
Could be because your side send thugs to people’s homes, and attacks private citizens in the press.
Mark1957 commented:
So the DNC considers that a “gotcha” question?
Student to Etheridge: “Do you support the Obama agenda?”
Charlie Gibson to Palin: “Do you believe in the Bush doctrine?”
bg commented:
++
Slappy @ 2:35 pm #35
it’s obvious he didn’t watch the tape..
he’s obviously seeing something that is not there.. just like they did with the non existent tape of senators being spat on & called the n & f words 15 X’s!!
==
Ladue Pundit commented:
Etheridge heard the name “Obama” and went nuts. He projected his anger on the kid.
Democrats across this country at tea parties and townhalls have been erupting for > a year now.
Jim Hoft, you should itemize the “Democrats Gone Wild” episodes as you do the Global Warming articles. How many are there now?
Democrats hitched their wagons to Obama, and are going down fast. Why couldn’t this man just say ‘no comment’ and keep walking?
Major Kong commented:
Clear evidence of an unprovoked assault. No argument about it. But, then again, I suppose it could all be Bush’s fault.
Valerie commented:
Their defense is that only certain kinds of people are allowed to ask questions?
Who the hell is running the response team for the DNC?
mmm commented:
I think Etheridge acted quite paranoid/guilty about something…….He could be involved in something that makes him feel overly suspicious of what would be a normal question for someone without a guilty conscience. He was sooo
defensive.
jainphx commented:
Insufficiently— Yeah sealing papers is only for Demoncraps!! Remember he had Ryan’s divorce papers unsealed by a judge in Illinois, which gave Obama the clear shot at the Senate.
timothyJ commented:
I assume that the reason that the boy’s face is blacked out is simply that he is a boy. He is probably 18 or 19, and that is a little young to have your face plastered all over the intertubes. Also, making it about the kid isn’t going to work. Doesn’t matter if he is a plant or not, assault is assault. I hope that the jerk spends his election season campaigning from behind bars.
archer52 commented:
Now that is what I’m talking about. Remember when I suggested surveillance and cameras following all public officials around until their heads popped?
This is just one post of many
http://truthandcommonsense.com/2010/03/17/and-this-is-how-you-do-it-taking-a-page-from-the-lefts-sitting-on-the-house-plan-pjtv-does-it-proud/
Like I said, follow them around, they are PUBLIC officials. Sit down at their table, sit next to them, be nice, offer your hand, take photos, offer your opinion, if they voted for HC then offer them a silver coin and say they must have left it when the sold out their country. Always be nice.
Oh, BTW, the kid should swear out a complaint and get the guy arrested. A shove is one thing, grabbing and holding him by the hand and then the neck is a sign of uncontrolled anger.
You do this all the time, you will “bunker” them inside their offices and homes.
Cool.
Listen up commented:
What a jackass. NC is ashamed to call this man a Carolinian. He grabs a kid, a young person from the looks of him by the throat because the kid ask him if he supports the Obama agenda. I hate to think what Bob the thug would have done to the kid if he ask him a really hard question. Please kick this donkey out of office in Nov. NC your state pride is at stake here. Do not return this thug to power…he is one arrogant, sicko! Toss him!
Roger commented:
That kid needs to swear out a criminal complaint for battery and theft of his property. Additionally, his 1st Amendment right to “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” was violated and so a Federal civil rights complaint should follow.
Radegunda commented:
Echoing Adam and bg: the kid knows what happens to people (like Joe the Plumber) who ask questions of Democrats that lead to Democrats saying and doing things that make themselves look bad.
The rabbi who asked Helen Thomas a very open-ended question is now getting a lot of hate mail–because she made herself look bad by answering it.
Now Dems are claiming that the kid “assaulted” a poor, elderly congressman, and claiming that his desire to be anonymous somehow means that he deserved what he got –when they’re not ridiculing the kid as a sissy for not fighting back!
They’re just providing more evidence that trying to stay anonymous was justified.
Simsalabim commented:
Fat, dumb and stupid is no way to go through life Democrats. Did you hear me Carnie Carnahan you f-ing moron? How about you Lacey (dumb as a box of rocks) Clay? You 2 morons are only in power because of your last name. You 2 aren’t smart enough breath.
Simsalabim commented:
Correction: You 2 aren’t smart enough to breath. Referring to Russ Carnahan and Lacey Clay– Missouri’s finest congressmen. LMAO!
Rose commented:
The DIM NORMAL response to a polite question from a Citizen with a Camera is ASSAULT? And well it SHOULD be???
But BP being assaulted with rocks which can kill a man in less than 30 seconds is RESTRAINT?
When Civil War comes, too many American Citizens are going to have way more fun than their God is pleased to see.
But that is what happens when Justice is DELAYED! And God waits to see what EVERYONE on BOTH sides is made of.
Dims are not going to be happy, then, for sure.
Rose commented:
#9 – AMEN!!! By all accounts, he supports Odrama Queen even against his own constituency!
If someone is “standing that firmly” for his own Principles, why wasn’t he proud to just say so?
What is a “Trick Question” about THAT???
CT commented:
The Congressman is lucky the kid didn’t knock his d*** in the dirt. It would have been self defense and a truly entertaining video.
Andrew B commented:
OK, what do you think? Does the congressman take the “I am seeking treatment for _____” and head to rehab or does he announce that “I want to spend more time with my family.”?
These days, those seem to be the substitutes for being a man, facing your mistakes and taking your lumps.
Kevin P commented:
Why would someone react the way the “eSTEAMed” Congressman did???
It’s almost as if “How do YOU know what the Obama Agenda is??? How many people know?”
His reaction I believe belies a deep fear within him of something that is in the works which only a select few are supposed to know about. And he’s reacting as if he can’t believe the “cat’s out of the bag”.
This reaction troubles me more than it initially did – and more so than what appears on the surface.