National
Lawmakers denounce 'You lie' outburst at Obama
"I was embarrassed for the chamber and a Congress I love," Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America." ''It demeaned the institution."
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., told ABC on Wednesday: "Obviously, the President of the United States is always welcome on Capitol Hill. He deserves respect and decorum.
"I know that Congressman Wilson has issued an apology and made his thoughts known to the White House, which was the appropriate thing to do," Cantor said.
The House's guest chaplain, in the opening prayer for Thursday's session, also appeared to refer to Wilson's outburst. "Gracious God, we meet in a challenging moment of your history. We cannot control all that may endanger us, but we can choose our behavior and the example we set as leaders," said The Very Rev. George L.W. Werner, dean emeritus of Trinity Cathedral in Pittsburgh.
Wilson's outburst came after Obama said extending health care to all Americans who seek it would not mean insuring illegal immigrants.
"You lie!" Wilson shouted from his seat on the Republican side of the chamber.
After the speech, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said, "There'll be time enough to consider whether or not we ought to make it clear that that action is unacceptable in the House of Representatives."
"Let's see what he does," Hoyer told WTOP radio before Wilson issued an apology. "Then there's time enough to consider further action."
There seemed little enthusiasm for sanctioning him, however.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said when asked about this Thursday: "It's time for us to talk about health care, not Mr. Wilson."
Wilson's behavior caused a political hangover for him and possibly for the Republican critics Obama had cast as shrill and more interested in killing any health care overhaul than finding a way to compromise.
Later, Wilson was contrite.
"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me," he said in a statement. "While I disagree with the president's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility."
He then tried to call Obama to apologize personally, but ended up talking with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel instead, Wilson's office said.
Biden said Thursday that he hadn't spoken with Obama, but, "knowing the president, I'm sure he accepted the apology."
By late Wednesday, though, the congressman's Web site had crashed, he had taken a beating on his Twitter page and Democrat Rob Miller had raised thousands of unexpected dollars online for a possible rematch with Wilson in next year's midterm elections, according to Lachlan McIntosh, Miller's campaign manager.
Within eight hours of Wilson's outburst, his Democratic opponent, former-Marine Rob Miller, had received nearly 3,000 individual contributions raising approximately $100,000, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said.
Wilson, a conservative Republican who promotes a strong national defense and reining in the size of government, won a special election to the House in 2001, succeeding the late Rep. Floyd Spence, R-S.C. Wilson had worked on Spence's staff on Capitol Hill and also had served as an intern for Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C.
Wilson, the only Republican who serves on both the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, is a familiar face on the floor of the chamber, often going there after regular legislative business to make announcements, observations and political points in the so-called "one minutes," a special freewheeling speaking period.
Wilson has been a staunch supporter of the war in Iraq.
"Everybody was stunned," Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said of Wilson's eruption.
Republicans froze; several glanced in Wilson's direction.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi directed a fierce frown at him; first lady Michelle Obama pursed her lips and shook her head from side to side.
Obama, meanwhile, looked toward the outburst and replied, "That's not true" before going on with his speech.
Wilson appeared to consult his Blackberry for much of the rest of Obama's speech. He shook his head defiantly after several of the president's statements. When Obama finished, Wilson bolted from the chamber.
Wilson's behavior was "totally disrespectful," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who had been Obama's rival in the 2008 presidential election, said on CNN.
___
Associated Press writers David Espo and Ben Evans in Washington and Jim Davenport in Columbia, S.C., contributed to this report.
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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest
verified I think it's just more
I think it's just more whining from the ultra conservatives in the Republican party that are sore about having lost majority control....check out this Jon Stewart clip.....he has many valid points:
http://catherinemacivor.com/2009/04/09/stewart-right-wingnuts-are-just-s...
(referring to Republicans) "I think you might be confusing tyranny with losing. And I feel for you because uh, I've been there. A few times...in fact one of them was a bit of a nail biter. But see, when the guy that you disagree with is elected, he's probably going to do things you disagree with. He could cut taxes on the wealthy, remove governments oversight capability, invade a country that you thought should not be invaded, but that's not tyranny....that's democracy." (AKA George W. Bush) "But see, now you're in the minority....it's SUPPOSED to taste like a sh*t taco."
verified the rest of the link should
the rest of the link should read "wingnuts-are-just-sore-losers/"
Wilson is unhinged as most
Wilson is unhinged as most of the republicans since OBama's election.
Some wonder why parents yell at refs and coaches during kids games.
The same Wilson like parents want their kids to use cell phones and blackberrys in class.
The same parents scream if their child is expected to follow the rules.
Joe Wilson is the typical republican who models this behavior to his little boy Biff and daughter Muffy.
It is amazing how this president has brought out the worst in the republican party. The ugly anger and racist attitude shows how the party is run by dinosaurs. No new ideas, no leadership.
They don't even know who they want to be their parties candidate for governor or president.
Looks like OBama can certainly say... Mission Accomplished!
verified Pssst.....it's because he's
Pssst.....it's because he's black. I see it, but why can't they?
verified OK, let me show you where
OK, let me show you where you are wrong
1. Illegals will not be buying health insurance, they'll just show up at the hospital emergency rooms like alot of people do now.
2. You won't lose your current coverage unless your employer shafts you. There is little anyone can do about that. They're shafting you now, with increase premiums and lesser coverage.
3. Abortion is not mentioned in the bill the President cites last night.
4. There is no "price" of the bill. It is meant to be balanced.
5. Premiums should go down, since high risk people will be in the government option and everyone will be on a level playing field. And with preventative care guarantee, there will be less high cost procedures necessary.
Now could two people see these things differently, sure. But the President has not lied about anything, unlike some from your party.
verified momof4, that's for your
momof4, that's for your comments. When George Bush lied about Iraq having nuclear weapons, 70% of Americans believed him. Many Democrats supported him. His resolution to use force passed easily. Now many Democrats after we learned that he had conned us with a scripted campaign of misinformation, misrepresentations, and straight forward lies we called him a liar. And we were proved right. But we did it in newspapers and blogs, and to our friends not in a joint session of congress. Analysts reviewing the controversey all agree that Obama was telling the truth and Wilson was wrong.
All those folks who say Obama is lying need to provide some proof. They can't and won't because they know Obama is telling the truth (like all politicians he shades it some for his benefit at times). Why should anyone hate Obama. He is managing the country like a moderate republican without Republicans false economic theories. Frustration for some and for many racism.
You have George Bush's credibility.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
verified You're better off trying to
You're better off trying to reason with a rock than a birther.
_____________________
Winston Churchill
Wilson's comment was the
Wilson's comment was the best part of the whole speech, especially when that buzzard Pelosi give him one of her nasty looks. Biden looked so confused it was hysterical. The non-partisan budget committee must have it all wrong, as they contradict the statement that this will cost the taxpayers nothing. As far as illegal immigrants go, Obama loves 'em. Citizens are confused about Obama's country of birth--US, Kenya, or Indonesia? I doubt that he is a natural-born citizen of the US. Constitutional violation, anyone??? The people that put him in office have made a HUGE mistake. Now the rest of us are stuck paying for it. Wait and see.
verified It is illuminating that you
It is illuminating that you called Wilson a Senator several times yet never mentioned Obama's title. Well just for the record, Obama is President of the United States whereas Wilson is a junior member of the House of Representative. It is that kind of deliberate disrespect that Rep. Wilson should be punished for and you sent to the woodshed.
Too bad he must apologize
Too bad he must apologize for saying what 57% of americans are thinking. He is a liar and if allowed to he will be what sends this country into ruin/turmoil.
verified OK, concerned please list
OK, concerned please list all the alledged lies spoken by President Obama, and the correct fact, as you know them!
To the two commenters below:
To the two commenters below: How did many of the Liberals react during Bush's last few State of the Union Addresses? I seem to remember boos and hisses, not very different than this. I feel Wilson's an idiot just as much as the next guy, but let's be fair and not forget recent history.
verified Rep. Wilson is not fit to
Rep. Wilson is not fit to serve in Congress and should be expelled immediately. Discourse in the country has denigrated into shouting matches which accomplish nothing, and this type of governing must be stopped. If not sanctioned, then this becomes acceptable behavior. It would be great if the Republican party would do its own housekeeping, realizing that it is completely complicit in all of this. However, I suspect the republican cowards will sit on they hands instead of acting like true Americans.
verified Tron, if he had boo-ed the
Tron, if he had boo-ed the President, would he still be fit?
verified Wilson said that emotion got
Wilson said that emotion got the better of him. Why? This is the first time in history that someone has made such a charge in a joint session of Congress. Even in the run up to the civil war no such incidence occurred. We have listen to Presidents say many very bad things and occasionally lie to Congress. Why this President. We have had other Presidents who's claim to the office were much weaker, but no "birther" movements. No this President is different and treated differently for one reason. He's black. Jon Albrecht Dixfield
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