Lawmakers denounce Obama-heckling colleague
Published: September 10, 2009
WASHINGTON -- Democrats and Republicans alike are denouncing Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting "You lie" at President Barack Obama during his speech to Congress, an extraordinary breach of decorum for which the South Carolina Republican swiftly apologized.
"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," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said late last night on WTOP radio when asked about possible punishment for Wilson. "I've talked to Republican members who share that view."
"Let's see what he does," Hoyer said before Wilson issued an apology. "Then there's time enough to consider further action."
House Republicans did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but there was widespread condemnation of the outburst from members of both parties.
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.
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 provide it.
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.
By that time, 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.
"Everybody was stunned," Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said of Wilson's eruption. "It was just something that nobody had ever witnessed before. We all felt embarrassed."
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. Vice President Joe Biden looked down and shook his head too.
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. "There is no place for it in that setting, or any other, and he should apologize for it immediately."
-- The Associated Press
Reader Reactions
While I was horrified such a thing was even allowed to take place, it does not surprise me. Icreasingly, I have noticed a fringe group of right-wing republicans who are systematically attempting to derail any chance Obama has of putting together a health care program that actually works. It’s bad enough when you see representatives of this fringe group trying to disrupt townhall meetings, but when an elected official behaves this way, it makes me confused, sad and angry.
I am not saying Democrats are not capable of doing or saying stupid things. (Remember the Appalachian trail?) I am a registered Democrat—I registered to vote when I was 17 years old (I turned 18 during an election year), and I am proud of what my party has been able to accomplish on both small- and large-scale since then. I would like to see more bi-partisanship in all of this. Thankfully, many Republicans have denounced this man’s actions as being unprofessional and un-becoming of his office. So there may be hope for the health care plan yet.
Obama did say during his campaign that change would not happen overnight, but let’s see if we can’t speed up the process up just a little bit. Let’s support health care reform, and not listen to this fringe that is attempting to derail the democratic process.
To Theppostman. Dude, how do you feel about Bush lying to Congress and the American people about WMD’s and sending our men and women to a war that we should not have been engaged in? There’s a double standard in your comments. Are you certain that YOU want to sling the word idiot around so loosely? Idiot is making comments that don’t add up to squat. The fact of the matter is that this debate is further along than it’s ever been and that’s good for AMERICANS, especially our seniors and those with medical issues and believe it or not YOU and ME TOO. I have never, in my lifetime, heard a President of The United States want to do something so badly on behalf of the American people. As for your TV comment, since before the election, I always try to keep an open mind when Obama spoke. I do this by closing my eyes and opening my ears and by doing this, I don’t let race become a factor just the words/issues. Try it next time YOUR PRESIDENT speaks. The point I am making is the point that was trying to be made last night; that is the mud slinging has got to end. So what if someone doesn’t get elected next term, they have instead sacrificed their OWN gain for the good of the American People. May God Meet YOU (theppostman) at your point of need today and evermore.
This is embarrassing for Republicans, who usually act with restrained respect. Although this type of disrespect to the President is not that uncommon, it is rare that come from a Republican.
I see posts saying “is it bad taste to speak the truth” and “I’m glad he didn’t apologize”...wth? People, whether you agree with Mr. Wilson or not, that particular forum WAS NOT the place for him to SHOUT “You lie” at the President!! It is about decorum, professionalism and such. I’d like to see how you react to a company policy you dont agree with or something your boss says and maybe you feel like its a “lie”...do you jump up and down in your office chairs and object to the top of your voice?? Maybe have a temper tantrum and roll around on the floor,perhaps? Why not? It’s your right to disagree in whatever manner you please in whatever setting of your chosing. DECORUM PEOPLE!
i’ve noticed that there has been an overall lack of respect for the office of the president lately. it seems to me that certain people are standing behind political issues in order to vent because they are unhappy with a BLACK president. i’ve never seen anyone heckle a president in that setting before and it is really upsetting to see how he’s being treated. they have done just about everything to him but call him the N word. it goes to show that this country has not changed it’s racial view at all.
I agree that the man was out of line, and I’m glad he apologized. It’s quite embarassing honestly, but please don’t act like this is the first time something like this has happened. (http://mediamatters.org/research/200502040014)
I am glad to see that he didn’t apologize for what he said. I am disheartened that he believed he had to apologize at all. Politicians are too thin skinned. I long for the days when honest spirited debate returns to politics; I am sick and tired of these wusses covering their own butts instead of working for the American people. They are not doing us any favors by playing at being “civil”. It’s nothing but a whitewashed turd.
The GOP needs to back up their words with actions in their punishment of Joe Wilson. I mean seriously on national tv while the president was addressing congress he chose to act like a child. The GOP needs to realize if they want to win the presidency and gain some seats back they need to act like adults instead of spoiled children and Wilson did not help, people will not forget this. This is why the GOP needs to show the right action against Wilson to show that will not be tolerated. Now for the past couple of days I have heard how the left disrespected W for the past eight years however I don’t remember W ever being treated like this from congress on national tv. It is simply amazing.
I have to disagree with most of the comments here. The man was hired to do a job. If that is the way his district feels his voice - THEIR voice - should be heard. Can you imagine the Obama-nation even letting him get an appointment with the FBP to discuss? No, I can’t either. And yes, Obama does lie and continually tells half- truths… and what does he do when he gets caught? Goes back and has one of his “advisors” (aka puppet-masters) go back in yet another news conference and restate “what the president really meant” or that “It was taken out of context”.
By the way, I have never seen ANYONE who likes to see himself on TV more than this idiot. Y’all voted him in and now we all have to suffer through just three more years of his puppet-masters agendas.
Having read part of the proposed health care package Obama is peddling. It does have provisions for illegal aliens. So to me he did lie, just imagine a politician not telling the truth. Not bad taste for Joe Wilson he just couldn’t swallow the lie. So far Obama’s only accomplishment is to be the first black president and run up a huge deficit. Why doesn’t Obama do something to get rid of the illegal aliens here in the USA? Why is he looking the other way and letting them steal jobs legal Americans and legal immigrants should be working? They are a huge drain on the economy but big business likes cheap labor with no benefits. Just like the south liked slaves before the civil war.
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