North Carolina Congressman Bob Etheridge came under fire today when a viral video surfaced of him attacking a hapless student who tried to question him. He was asked about his thoughts on the Obama agenda just before he flew into a rage, grabbing and berating the surely intimidated young man.

The student, who remains unnamed, approached the Democrat on the street with his friend who was toting a camera, and simply asked him, “Do you fully support the Obama agenda?” Immediately after, an incensed and suspicious Etheridge grabbed the young man by the wrist, repeatedly demanding, “Who are you?!” Visibly shaken, the student tries to calm him by telling him that they’re "just here for a project" and that "all we are is students." Etheridge was not placated, seething, "I have a right to know who you are."

The shaky video also shows what looks like Etheridge slapping the student in the head, all the while keeping a firm grip on the young man’s arm. Near the video’s end, he bullies the poor man, snatching him by his collar and pulls him into an uncomfortable position next to him so that he is facing the camera (however, the video has blurred out his face).

CBS News reports that Bob Etheridge’s peers are less than impressed. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Jon Thompson acidly quotes, “Bob Etheridge has lost it. His conduct is unbecoming of a member of Congress. It's bad enough that he's joined Obama's assault on North Carolina jobs, but his physical assault on a college student goes beyond the pale.”

In a statement made Monday, Etheridge apologizes for his out-of-line behaviour: “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."