Etheridge not hiding from health care vote

Rep. Bob Etheridge says he fully expects Republicans to attack him for his vote in support of the new health care law backed by President Barack Obama. And in a video released by his reelection campaign, the Lillington Democrat makes clear that he fully intends to run on, and raise money, defending his stand.

"I proudly stood up for North Carolina's working families by casting my vote to fix America's broken health care system," Etheridge says in the video, released last week. "The other side has made clear they're coming after us with all they've got in their campaign to repeal this historic achievement. If you thought they threw the kitchen sink at us in the months leading up to this landmark vote, just wait until you see what's next. Let me be clear. I will never back down in my work to do what's right by the people of North Carolina. Between now and November, I'm going to need your help. Will you stand with me in this fight? I hope you will."

Etheridge, whose largely rural district tends to lean conservative, is seeking reelection to an 8th term in the U.S. House. Renee Ellmers, Frank Deatrich and Todd Gailas are competing in the Republican primary for the right to challenge the incumbent Congressman.