The flash-in-the-pan Andrew Breitbart story of the day is another video ambush that provoked Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC) into manhandling someone identified only as a “student.”

This is the original video released today; note that it’s heavily edited.

Youtube Video

(Unedited video from the two cameras used has now been released here and here. The interviewers’ faces are still blurred, however.)

Regardless of the extensive editing and provocative commentary in the video, Etheridge clearly lost his cool and engaged in very inappropriate behavior. He should have simply walked away; an elected official should never engage in this kind of physical confrontation.

Etheridge has now apologized for his reactions.

Monday afternoon, Etheridge released the following statement:

“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.”

Having said all that, however, the behavior of the “interviewers” in this clip is certainly questionable as well. Why are their faces blurred in the video, and why did they refuse to identify themselves? What kind of question is, “Do you fully support the Obama agenda?” Who are these guys?

Etheridge overreacted badly, but he wasn’t wrong about smelling something funny going on.