'You lie' congressman raises funds for Va.'s Howell

By: JEFF E. SCHAPIRO TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER | Times-Dispatch
Published: September 22, 2009

No lie -- the South Carolina congressman who interrupted President Barack Obama's health-care speech to Congress is raising money for Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford.

In an e-mail to thousands of prospective donors to Howell's political-action committee, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., warns that "big liberal money" imperils continued GOP control of the House of Delegates.

Wilson shouted "You lie!" during Obama's recent speech to a joint session of Congress. The outburst came as Obama said that illegal immigrants would not be covered by his health initiative.

"Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell knows what it's like to be a target, too," Wilson said in the e-mail, noting that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and organized labor are pouring millions into the state.

The Wilson missive, on behalf of Howell's Dominion Leadership Trust, spotlights continuing national attention for the Virginia elections.

The state's gubernatorial contest is considered a referendum on Obama, who carried Virginia last year. But races for the House of Delegates are viewed as a crucial test of GOP grass-roots appeal following big Democratic gains since 2001.

"Big liberal money from outside Virginia has flowed into House Democrat coffers because the Republican majority in the Virginia House has been the only firewall between Virginia citizens and the tax-and-spend agenda of a Democratic governor and state Senate," said Wilson.

Wilson continued, "The stakes have never been higher. Congressional districts will be redrawn by the Virginia House elected this year, and a Republican majority there will help elect more Republicans to the U.S. Congress."

Wilson's chief of staff, Eric Dell, said today that Howell's PAC asked the congressman to prepare the fundraising appeal.

"If we can be of help -- and they ask us -- we assess each one," said Dell, adding that Wilson's growing national following is made up largely of opponents of big, costly government.

Wilson has harvested more than $2 million for his own political treasury since breaking into Obama's nationally broadcast remarks.

G. Paul Nardo, the speaker's top aide, said Howell was not reluctant to enlist Wilson, saying, "I'm not sure there's any downside. We're not debating Obama on health care. We're raising money."