While I am not fond of Democrats OR Republicans, I don't think I would be too happy if an unknown guy, college age or not, accompanied by a camera guy, walked up and stuck a microphone in my face, and started askin questions. There is a right way, and a wrong way, of doing things, and ambushing someone is not the right thing to do.
Whether a congressman, senator, or just a regular guy walkin down the street, one has no idea whom the stranger with the microphone is, or what his intent is.
I would have personally kept walking, and told the guy to get the mic out of my face, or suffer the physical consequences. I don't know when folks started thinking that they could treat other folks this way, and not expect consequences.