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==="Who Are You?" confrontation===
==="Who Are You?" confrontation===
In June 2010, Etheridge was approached by two young men on a Washington, D.C., sidewalk. The pair, who identified themselves as students working on a project, asked Etheridge if he "fully supported the Obama agenda" while videorecording his response. In the video, Etheridge first says "Who are you?" repeatedly, then is seen grabbing one of the young men by the wrists, neck, and back of the shirt, while repeatedly asking the young men who they were. The young men responded that they were "students working on a project". One of them is heard asking the congressman three times to let go of him while the Congressman continued to hold on to him.<ref name="youtube">{{cite news|title=Congressman Assaults Student on Washington Sidewalk|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v60oNUoHBYM}}</ref> Etheridge later apologized for the incident in a statement saying "I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction, and I apologize to all involved".<ref name="wral">{{cite news|last=Kelly |first=Hinchcliffe|title=Congressman caught on camera in physical confrontation|url=http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/7778164/|accessdate=14 June 2010|newspaper=WRAL|date=14 June 2010}}</ref> Etheridge called a press conference where he stated that there was no excuse for his actions. He refused to speculate on the motivation of those involved and said that it had been a "long day".<ref name="wral reaction">{{cite news|title=Etheridge talks about confrontation|url=http://www.wral.com/news/video/7780164/|accessdate=14 June 2010|newspaper=WRAL}}</ref> Republican political strategists acknowledged "they were behind the episode".<ref>{{cite news | author= Jim Rutenberg | title = Democrats Outrun by a 2-Year G.O.P. Comeback Plan | publisher = [[New York Times]] | date = 2010-11-03 | accessdate = 2010-10-19 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/us/politics/04campaign.html}}</ref>
In June 2010, Etheridge was approached by two young men on a Washington, D.C., sidewalk. The pair, who identified themselves as students working on a project, asked Etheridge if he "fully supported the Obama agenda" while videorecording his response. In the video, Etheridge first says "Who are you?" repeatedly, then is seen grabbing one of the young men by the wrists, neck, and back of the shirt, while repeatedly asking the young men who they were. The young men responded that they were "students working on a project". One of them is heard asking the congressman three times to let go of him while the Congressman continued to hold on to him.<ref name="youtube">{{cite news|title=Congressman Assaults Student on Washington Sidewalk|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v60oNUoHBYM}}</ref> Etheridge later apologized for the incident in a statement saying "I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction, and I apologize to all involved".<ref name="wral">{{cite news|last=Kelly |first=Hinchcliffe|title=Congressman caught on camera in physical confrontation|url=http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/7778164/|accessdate=14 June 2010|newspaper=WRAL|date=14 June 2010}}</ref> Etheridge called a press conference where he stated that there was no excuse for his actions. He refused to speculate on the motivation of those involved and said that it had been a "long day".<ref name="wral reaction">{{cite news|title=Etheridge talks about confrontation|url=http://www.wral.com/news/video/7780164/|accessdate=14 June 2010|newspaper=WRAL}}</ref> An article in the New York Times subsequently stated that "Republican political strategists acknowledge they were behind the episode." The article did not name the "Republican polticial strategists."<ref>{{cite news | author= Jim Rutenberg | title = Democrats Outrun by a 2-Year G.O.P. Comeback Plan | publisher = [[New York Times]] | date = 2010-11-03 | accessdate = 2010-10-19 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/us/politics/04campaign.html}}</ref>


Political analysts have commented on the potential effect of this confrontation on Etheridge's chances of reelection against Republican candidate Renee Ellmers.<ref>{{cite web|author=&nbsp;&nbsp; |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7504235 |title=Poll shows Etheridge trailing after video &#124; abc11.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |date=2010-06-17 |accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Christensen |first=Rob |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/06/16/535042/etheridge-slip-puts-foe-on-map.html |title=Etheridge slip puts foe on map - Elections |publisher=NewsObserver.com |date=2010-06-16 |accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2010/06/18/etheridges-district-moved-to-leans-democrat/ |title=Etheridge's District Moved To Leans Democrat - Real Clear Politics – TIME.com |publisher=Realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com |date=2010-06-18 |accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref> Subsequently on June 18, a 32-year-old man said he had been a victim of a similar incident occurring in 1996 in which Etheridge grabbed him when he was a high school student.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Resident Recalls Run-In With Etheridge |first= John |last=Krahnert III |url=http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/jun/18/former-resident-recalls-run-in-with-etheridge/ |agency= |newspaper=The Pilot |date=18 June 2010 |accessdate=20 June 2010}}</ref> That report was later disputed by the retired principal who stated that "the student was in the wrong".<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=O'Brien | title=Principal disputes former student's allegation of run-in with Etheridge | url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/104199-principal-disputes-former-students-allegation-of-run-in-with-etheridge | newspaper=The Hill | date=6 June 2010 }}</ref>
Political analysts have commented on the potential effect of this confrontation on Etheridge's chances of reelection against Republican candidate Renee Ellmers.<ref>{{cite web|author=&nbsp;&nbsp; |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7504235 |title=Poll shows Etheridge trailing after video &#124; abc11.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |date=2010-06-17 |accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Christensen |first=Rob |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/06/16/535042/etheridge-slip-puts-foe-on-map.html |title=Etheridge slip puts foe on map - Elections |publisher=NewsObserver.com |date=2010-06-16 |accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2010/06/18/etheridges-district-moved-to-leans-democrat/ |title=Etheridge's District Moved To Leans Democrat - Real Clear Politics – TIME.com |publisher=Realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com |date=2010-06-18 |accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref> Subsequently on June 18, a 32-year-old man said he had been a victim of a similar incident occurring in 1996 in which Etheridge grabbed him when he was a high school student.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Resident Recalls Run-In With Etheridge |first= John |last=Krahnert III |url=http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/jun/18/former-resident-recalls-run-in-with-etheridge/ |agency= |newspaper=The Pilot |date=18 June 2010 |accessdate=20 June 2010}}</ref> That report was later disputed by the retired principal who stated that "the student was in the wrong".<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=O'Brien | title=Principal disputes former student's allegation of run-in with Etheridge | url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/104199-principal-disputes-former-students-allegation-of-run-in-with-etheridge | newspaper=The Hill | date=6 June 2010 }}</ref>

Revision as of 13:59, 1 March 2011

Bob Etheridge
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byDavid Funderburk
Succeeded byRenee Ellmers
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseFaye Etheridge
ResidenceLillington, North Carolina
Alma materCampbell University
OccupationPolitician
WebsiteU.S. Representative Bob Etheridge
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1965–1967

Bobby Ray "Bob" Etheridge (born August 7, 1941) is the former U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district, serving from 1997 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was defeated in the 2010 election by Renee Ellmers.

Early life, education and career

Born in Sampson County, North Carolina, Etheridge attended the Cleveland School and was a high school basketball standout. He attended Campbell University on an athletic scholarship and became the first member of his family to earn a diploma when he received a business degree in 1965. He then served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967.[1] He has also done graduate work in the field of economics.

Etheridge is also a part-time tobacco farmer and hardware store owner.

Early political career

Etheridge began his political career as a Harnett County commissioner from 1973 through 1976. He was then elected in 1978 to the North Carolina House of Representatives, and served two terms (1979–1988) and rose to chair the House Appropriations Committee. Having gained a reputation for his strong stances on educational issues, he was elected in 1988 and served two terms (1989–1996) as North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction.[2]

U. S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments (111th Congress)

Party leadership

  • Democratic At-Large Whip (2008-2011)

Caucus memberships

Etheridge previously served on the Agriculture and Homeland Security committees. He has focused on farm issues,[3] educational matters,[4] and providing a balanced budget.

In 2006, Etheridge joined Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth in proposing increased research and development of biofuels to reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil.[5]

Etheridge supported President Obama's proposed healthcare reforms, voting to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act in November 2009 [6] and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.[7]

"Who Are You?" confrontation

In June 2010, Etheridge was approached by two young men on a Washington, D.C., sidewalk. The pair, who identified themselves as students working on a project, asked Etheridge if he "fully supported the Obama agenda" while videorecording his response. In the video, Etheridge first says "Who are you?" repeatedly, then is seen grabbing one of the young men by the wrists, neck, and back of the shirt, while repeatedly asking the young men who they were. The young men responded that they were "students working on a project". One of them is heard asking the congressman three times to let go of him while the Congressman continued to hold on to him.[8] Etheridge later apologized for the incident in a statement saying "I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction, and I apologize to all involved".[9] Etheridge called a press conference where he stated that there was no excuse for his actions. He refused to speculate on the motivation of those involved and said that it had been a "long day".[10] An article in the New York Times subsequently stated that "Republican political strategists acknowledge they were behind the episode." The article did not name the "Republican polticial strategists."[11]

Political analysts have commented on the potential effect of this confrontation on Etheridge's chances of reelection against Republican candidate Renee Ellmers.[12][13][14] Subsequently on June 18, a 32-year-old man said he had been a victim of a similar incident occurring in 1996 in which Etheridge grabbed him when he was a high school student.[15] That report was later disputed by the retired principal who stated that "the student was in the wrong".[16]

Post-Congressional career

On February 1, 2011, Governor Bev Perdue announced her appointment of Etheridge as head of the North Carolina Office of Economic Recovery and Investment, replacing Dempsey Benton, which oversees funds to the state from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[17]

Political campaigns

Etheridge was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996.

2008

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2008 § District 2

Etheridge was elected to his seventh consecutive term in the 2008 Congressional elections.[18] He defeated Republican Dan Mansell and Libertarian Will Adkins.[citation needed]

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2010 § District 2*

Etheridge was challenged by Republican nominee Renee Ellmers and Libertarian nominee Tom Rose. On November 2, 2010, political newcomer Ellmers defeated Etheridge in the general election. Etheridge contested the result and requested a recount of the vote. [19] On November 19, 2010, the State Board of Elections director Gary Bartlett said that a recount in the 2nd Congressional District has confirmed that Ellmers defeated Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge by about 1,500 votes. Later that day, Etheridge conceded the election to Ellmers.

Personal life

Etheridge and his wife Faye have three children and seven grandchildren. They are active in their church and both teach Sunday School. For his decades-long work for the Boy Scouts of America, Etheridge was awarded the Silver Beaver Award; the highest award a Scout leader can receive.[2] He is a Freemason and has served as Grand Orator.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ Bob Etheridge (D). The Washington Post.
  2. ^ a b "Biography". United States House of Representatives.
  3. ^ N.C. Congressman Wants Federal Disaster Relief for Farmers. WRAL. October 22, 2007.
  4. ^ Etheridge offers bold proposal. Wilmington Morning Star. September 18, 1990.
  5. ^ Rep. Bob Etheridge., Rep. Stephanie Herseth. The answer to our gas crisis. DeWitt Era-Enterprise. May 4, 2006.
  6. ^ House Vote 887
  7. ^ House Vote 167
  8. ^ "Congressman Assaults Student on Washington Sidewalk".
  9. ^ Kelly, Hinchcliffe (14 June 2010). "Congressman caught on camera in physical confrontation". WRAL. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  10. ^ "Etheridge talks about confrontation". WRAL. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  11. ^ Jim Rutenberg (2010-11-03). "Democrats Outrun by a 2-Year G.O.P. Comeback Plan". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  12. ^    (2010-06-17). "Poll shows Etheridge trailing after video | abc11.com". Abclocal.go.com. Retrieved 2010-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  13. ^ Christensen, Rob (2010-06-16). "Etheridge slip puts foe on map - Elections". NewsObserver.com. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  14. ^ "Etheridge's District Moved To Leans Democrat - Real Clear Politics – TIME.com". Realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com. 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  15. ^ Krahnert III, John (18 June 2010). "Former Resident Recalls Run-In With Etheridge". The Pilot. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  16. ^ O'Brien, Michael (6 June 2010). "Principal disputes former student's allegation of run-in with Etheridge". The Hill.
  17. ^ "Etheridge to head state's Economic Recovery & Investment office". fayobserver.com. 01 February 2011. Retrieved 02 February 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  18. ^ Etheridge Wins Seventh Term In Office, Bob Etheridge for Congress, November 05, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  19. ^ Miller, Sean J. (November 12, 2010). "Still trailing, Rep. etheridge calls for a recount". The Hill. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  20. ^ Carter, Ric (2006). "Farm boy makes a life of service" (PDF). The North Carolina Mason. 131 (2). Retrieved 18 June 2010. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
Political offices
Preceded by North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction
1989–1996 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district
1997–2011 		Succeeded by

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