CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
– POLITICS
Sept. 9, 2009 – 11:32 p.m.
Both Sides Condemn Outburst; Wilson Apologizes
By Jonathan Allen and Adjoa Adofo, CQ Staff
Republican Rep. Joe Wilson shouted “Lie! You lie,” at President Barack Obama during Wednesday’s address to a joint session of Congress, earning repudiations from his own party and from Democrats.
Wilson took exception to a passage in Obama’s speech on health care in which the president said illegal immigrants would not get health insurance coverage under the overhaul.
“There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false — the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally,” Obama said.
Wilson answered the comment with his outburst, loud enough to be picked up on television and in such an unusually disruptive fashion as to merit reprimands from across the political spectrum.
House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn , a fellow South Carolinian, said Wilson’s heckling was more damaging to South Carolina’s reputation than the exploits of Republican Gov. Mark Sanford , who admitted to having an extramarital affair with an Argentinian woman.
“I thought he [the governor] had embarrassed us as much as we could be embarrassed. But to have a congressman use the floor of the House of Representatives in a joint session to insult the president the way Joe Wilson did is as embarrassing as anything anyone could think of,” Clyburn said. “Our state can do without this.”
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Arizona Sen. John McCain , the 2008 Republican presidential nominee and a fellow veteran, denounced the comment as “totally disrespectful and called on Wilson to “apologize immediately” during a post-speech interview on CNN.
A few hours later, he issued a written statement, saying he had called White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and apologized.
“I let my emotions get the best of me,” Wilson said. “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.”
The timing could not have been worse: Wilson’s son, Alan Wilson, launched a bid Tuesday for state attorney general.
And Wilson himself is facing the possibility of a credible rematch of his narrow 2008 victory over Marine Corps veteran and Democrat Rob Miller, which Wilson won with 53.7 percent of the vote.
Miller received a flood of online donations in the hour after the speech, according to Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee officials, with one estimate pegging the number of contributions at more than 200.
A Democratic operative with experience in South Carolina said Wilson’s treatment of the commander in chief could cost him among the district’s sizable military population.
“You have a lot of military folks who, even when they don’t agree with the president politically, have a lot of respect for the institution itself,” the operative said. “Before the speech, I would have said Joe Wilson had that.”
Clyburn said South Carolina voters may have the opportunity to redress their grievances with Wilson at the polls and elsewhere.
“I would hope that the people of South Carolina will show him, in as many as ways as they possibly can, how insulting this is and how embarrassing this is,” Clyburn said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif., declined to comment on the matter, according to a spokesman, but Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md., said he could not remember a similar incident during his nearly three decades in Congress. “It is certainly something that should never happen,” Hoyer added.
Minority Leader John A. Boehner , R-Ohio, declined to comment through a spokesman.
Members of Congress typically observe a standard of decorum during State of the Union addresses and other presidential addresses to nationally televised audiences.
On occasion, quiet disapproval rises to vocal outburst. In 1999, for example, then-Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., admonished House members to observe standards of respect for the president some Republicans had treated President Bill Clinton in a manner viewed as disrespectful the previous year.
Kathleen Hunter, Jennifer Scholtes, Edward Epstein and Scott Ferrell contributed to this story.
Comments
What an embarrassment. My party's members are making it tougher and tougher to show my allegiance in public. When discourse fails, the vision of America falters.
South Carolina should be ashamed for voting this man into office. There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588
Can't be good politics for a former army officer and Regan administration member to disrespect the Commander in Chief, when you are from a state with allot of military. Joe Wilson should be ashamed of himself. His has disgraced the good people of SC, not to mention his four sons who are all Eagle Scouts. I wonder if Eagle Scouts are taught to disrespect the president, no matter who it is, on national TV just to get attention. No Democrat attacked Bush in that way. He is national disgrace.. He represents the worse of America. He can disagree all he wants, but to shout out like he did is an attack on the American way of life. He actually inspired me to go online and donate money to his opponent, and that takes allot to get me to contribute to any politician. Its all the worse because he served in the army and the Reagan administration. He has disgraced both. His lack of civility must be appalling in SC. And his son is now running for public office as well. I wonder if the son is American enough to tell his dad he did wrong.
He's a right wing pig.
Jeffery, I agree with you. That Congressman's outburst was insulting to the President. We can all disagree. I detested George W Bush, but I would have never condoned that sort of behavior from anyone - let alone a member of congress. I hope the Republican Party - as the loyal opposition - continues to engage in dialogue about what is good for our country. The shrill rhetoric and sound bite insults have no place in America.
I find it embarrassing that our President cannot give a speech in front of Congress without an outburst like this, which makes us look like a banana republic. I would have said the same if someone called out "Liar" to Bush as he was making the bogus claim about Saddam Hussein seeking yellowcake during the 2002 State of the Union. Judging by their defense of Wilson's outburst, it seems clear that some conservatives don't respect the Presidency unless they voted for the current officeholder. "I didn't vote for him, but he's my President and I hope he does a good job." - actor John Wayne, when asked about JFK's election. "I didn't vote for him, but he's my President and I hope he does a good job." - actor John Wayne, when asked about JFK's election.
Well put Jeffrey. I am an independent senior citizen, but Joe Wilson's outburst was extremely uncalled for. Whatever happened to respectful political discourse? I thought Obama responded with much class and I gained some respect from him.
Disgraceful to the Commander in Chief and towards our country, as a whole.
How stunning to have such an open disregard for the institution and our ability to represent decorum and civility in our national dialogue. An apology just doesn't go far enough. It only allows for a future when either side feels "sorry" will cover the most absurd outbursts-leaving the floor of Congress reminiscent of the mob like dialogue that ruled this summer. Resign.
Sorry I find it refreshing. Joe has my vote, Clyburn won't again. If you are not going to give the GOP a voice Obama/Media, then they will get it where they can. And this administration has lied about their Health Care proposal.
Donate to Wilson's opponent here - http://www.actblue.com/page/kossacks4miller
Wow. All of these scare tactics and what not and silly Death Panel Republican propaganda has reached a new low. All o the Republicans behaved with the decorum of a group of four year olds, waving their pamphlets above their heads. It is no wonder, seeing as this is the party that spawned Bush Jr and Sr. Wilson should resign, cause he surely will not get reelected. And like the coward he is, he's taken down his website.
Interesting his website is down for "maintenance" no wonder the Republican are hated and out of touch. When Bush Lied about "IRAQ" He still got respect, when Bush Lied about how of a great job Brown was doing in New Orleans, he still got respect, Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's behavior was shameful, just shameful and disrespectful
First, it is a disgrace that the last two times this has happened, it came from the republican side. Secondly, this person carried the "under-current " feelings of a lot of Republicans who believe that because this President is black, they can say and will say, can do and will do, all they can to bring him down and disrespect him (Remember Jackie Robinson) This person should be publically reprimanded on the house floor, sanction and ordered to apologize directlyto the President and the American people.
It's hard to teach my students about how they should respect the system of discourse and discussion when such behavior is exhibited. America is based on civil discussion not street level outbursts.
It was an appalling and shocking moment but a very revealing one about a person elected to represent people in South Carolina. Thank you for telling us your true feelings Wilson. Now you can be judged on your character which usually stay hidden but you let yours out tonite when you dissed the nation's President. If S.C. keeps you as a rep, I certainly don't plan to move there. Your actions were a disgrace to you and the people that you represent. One can only hope that those you represent do not think and behave as you do.
I was shocked and apalled that a member of Congress would try to turn an address by the President into one of those dispicable town hall debacles that we saw so much of all through August. He has shamed himself and brought even greater shame to you, South Carolina. One would have thought that South Carolina lawmakers would be on better behavior since you already have a governor who has brought such negative attention to your state. Hopefully the voters of House District 2 will decide a Marine will bring the right amount of honor to the office and elect Wilson's opponent in 2010.
How about instead of just covering the drama, you cover the substance and tell your readers that the pending bills would NOT cover illegal immigrants?
im glad to see someone with a set of balls, its about time!i say to mr wilson thank you its about time some one said, to him what what the american ppeople are saying. dont comdem the guy for standing up and saying the truth. i say thank youmr wilson, thank you. and everyone get off your high horse, and admit hes right.respect, obama has no respectfor the people.respect works both ways.obama is a lier and im not afread to say it
Thank God that somebody has the nerve to tell the truth. I wish the Republicians would have stood up and given Joe Wilson a standing ovation. As you can see, John McCain is weak and thats why he didn't win the election. Joe - you shouldn't have apologised
Mr. Wilson is a jerk. As Americans we all owe the president of the united states respect. Mr. Wilson does not respect himself if he is willing to be a bully at such a venue. I am glad I do not live in his state; his constituents must cringe at his name.
Yes, Wilson's outburst in the chamber was out of bounds.
Oh, come on.....to the banana republic comment.....what President Obama heard and saw last night from the Republicans was mild compared to the raucous treatment the British Prime Minister receives in London....Here is my two cents - what about the horrible remarks the President made about President Bush....constantly berating the former president....interesting comments above about President Bush "lying" above.....what is good for the goose is good for the gander....
TIna, Char, Larry D. I respectfully ask that you read HR 3200, specifically section 246 on page 143 - NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS -- Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. It couldn;t be more clear. I can only assume Representative Wilson did not read that far into the legislation.
Trash like Wilson just makes class like President Obama look all that much better. Not only is this guy an embarrassment to SC -he brought shame his own party (as if they needed his help - NOT), as well. Wilson was not a bully last night, but rather a southern fried coward who exposed his true colors to the world.
this comment is for char, a few comments above me. Char, your spelling says it all.
Rep. Wilson should be censured. How disrespectful that a member of Congress would yell "You lie" at the president while he's giving an address to Congress. I feel sorry for Wilson's constituents to have such a poor excuse for a politician serving them in Washington. I hope they vote him out next year.
The entire state should facepalm
I certainly find what Congressman Wilson did foolish and appalling, and I share the hope that the people of his district have had enough of him. However, I'm not sure that "He's a right wing pig" does any more to raise the level of discourse than the congressman's outburst. Lack of civility seems to reign on both sides.
Thanks for your input Char; "obama is a lier and im not afread to say it" Apparently, not only are you not afraid to say it, you're not able to spell it either. Is this the South Carolina public school system at work?
Shame on you, Mr. Wilson. SHAME ON YOU.
Char and Tina think what Wilson did was commendable, even though Wilson himself thinks it was something he should not have done. I thought it was boorish and am amazed that somebody would think it was the right thing to do.
Does everyone on this liberal board think our political system produces respectful representatives for the people? Barry can brow beat and abuse opponents day and night but when Wilson speaks the same thing a majority of the nation was yelling into their TV sets, you all think he should be fired. He had enough and he finally did what he was voted into office to do: speak the will of the people. You all should get off your high horses and realize this health care 'reform' will put the US into the same money pit socialized medicine took Canada, England, France, etc into. IT DOES NOT WORK! The government is not known for efficiency, accountability in any program. Look at the military: $1,000 toilet seats and $500 screwdrivers?? You want the government to run healthcare this way? Barry should be driving reform where it will do the most good and where the American people want it: stabilize the economy and get jobs going again. We can't afford this health care ship called the Titanic.
How embarassing, regardless of your political views. Rep. Wilson was very disrespectful to everyone, including himself. He needs to RESIGN!! Only in third world countires do you see such a display of ignorance.
This outburst reflects the mayhem that has been prevelant at so many town hall meetings. How are the citizens supposed to learn from this type of example. People who agree with this type of behaviour show their own ignorance.
I changed my party affiliation from longtime Republican to Democrat so I could vote for President Obama. This sort of political grandstanding and disrespect for civil political discourse on the part of the GOP is the reason why. Joe Wilson's outburst is just another reason for me to continue to support progressive candidates. And I voted with a contribution to Wilson's opponent. Much more powerful than writing an irate letter to the congressman's office.
Lots of comments. Glad to see the vast majority agree the outburst is un-American and most appalling! One commenter has already touched on it, but I will repeat his comment as a slightly different question: Were the President not black would Mr. Wilson have still had his outburst? Only he can answer the question, but it would seem from the comments I have seen and heard, much of the lack of respect for this President is buried within racial hostility and it would appear that Mr. Wilson is in fact confirming that belief. I say this as a moderately/conservative Pro-Life Irish Catholc American. Debate the issues and the issues only, leave the racial and any other kind of hate behind!
It's all been said but I'll add my voice to the chorus: completely disgraceful. Democrats were respectful when in the presence of Reagan and both Bushes. Republicans were nasty to Clinton, but last night's performance took the cake and Wilson's outburst was only the worst of a lot of childish behavior. Servicemembers and veterans should think twice before voting for a party so disrespectful of the commander in chief. I'm a disenchanted Democrat but Wilson reminded me why, at least for the moment, there is no alternative. Democrats try to engage us and solve problems, even if ineffectively. Republicans spread lies and rumors for political and personal gain, with no concern for what's best for our country.
Yes, Wilson's outburst was embarrassing and disrespectful. He is a moron, an elitist, and a hate monger. However, playing devil's advocate here, wouldn't it be just as equally embarrassing and disrespectful if Wilson is right and the President is lying? Food for thought.
It is about time a member of congress had the courage to do what I believe many have been wanting to do. What is appalling is the fact that we do have a liar for a commander in chief. All you have to do is check what he does against what he says. And what is sad is that most of you who blindly side with him didn't pick up on the contradictions in his speech. And some of you are wrong about Bush getting respect. How quickly we forget how the mainstream media made him out as an idiot. He didn't need a teleprompter as this claimed intellectual of a president does. It is time to think independently and time to do away with this party system that has done nothing more than to divide our country. Call it what it is --- a huge power grab - nothing more and nothing less.
Gotta wonder where all the outrage was in 2005 during the State of the Union address? I don't recall any Democrats publicly apologizing for their repeated outbursts. Joe Wilson's just a bigger person than any of them for apologizing. Personally, I wouldn't have. John McCain was being honest, he derided the Democrats for doing the same thing in 2005. So far, he's the only one being honest besides Joe Wilson.
It was a shameful outburst. I was no fan of Bill Clinton, but I respected the office of the President and was excited when I had the chance to see President Clinton while in Washington, D.C. several years ago. I am from IL and trust me, respect for the leader of our state has been a challenge, but we remember it is the office that deserves the respect, regardless of who sits in the chair. I am sure Mr. Wilson is embarrassed for his outburst and I suspect he will pay highly at the voting booth because he got caught up in the moment. none of us are perfect, but it was a bad mistake.
These comments from the liberal Democrats are as shallow and transparent as it gets. All we heard from the dems after Bush won in 2000 was about a stolen election and a invalid president. Where is the respect Bush should have been given? Nowhere. Respect is earned through actions, not given blindly without merit. Oh the race card! When a black is deemed to be harmed somehow, this card is thrown out. How about the racist views of Barry through his political career, about the people he associated with for decades and thought nothing about their racest views until he is running for election and needs to look mainstream? His associations with Jesse Jackson, Sharpton, Rev. White, the new chief justice and her 'white man' mentality, Van Jones saying Bush knew and allowed 9/11. Finally, why can't Barry show us his official birth cert and just end his disrespectful attitude to the American people? He can either earn respect from this country or continue on his present course and get the respect he deserves based on his actions
Before the Contract with America established the Republican Revolution Congress and America had standards. An outburst like Mr. Wilson's would not have been tolerated. The dominance of the conservatives has both dumbed down public discourse and diminished comity. As Tina so aptly shows, all the right has to say consists of insults and accusations.
How can a speech be a great speech when it is full of lies? Obama lied and he cannot be called on that because the setting is inappropriate? The setting (any setting) is inappropriate for lies. If Obama had met his obligation to be truthful to the joint session of congress and the public, Mr. Wilson would not have been tempted to yell out. It might not have been very graceful, but the place and time were perfect because they were an immediate on the spot rebuttal of the lies offered by Mr. Obama. It did not leave room for interpretation and the typical word twisting cover up by the press. It was the perfect time! Mr. Obama should take responsibility for his lies. Unlimited healthcare is something no nation can afford. The USA cannot afford this and in time government bureaucrats will make life and death decisions concerning the lives of citizens. It will be dressed up to look palatable but there will still be death panels in some form. It is unavoidable. The claim that private insurance companies make such decisions now is true in some cases and they can be sued or prosecuted because they have no right to make such decisions. They must honor the agreements with their clients. The patient makes the decision on how far their healthcare will go by choosing their insurance coverage. The patient can choose to spend more or less on health insurance according to their ability. The acceptance of responsibility and the ability to pay go hand in hand. Government healthcare does not provide such options. Government healthcare removes responsibility and authority to make your own decisions. The government will make the decisions for you and the fact that you have been a responsible person and have contributed for many years does not matter. There will be some formula that a simple minded bureaucrat can apply to make life or death decisions for you. My question is: Will a family be able to sue Obama if a family member is denied the optimum care? Will Obama be prosecuted for murder if someone dies because healthcare was denied and the person died earlier that necessary? That would mean really taking responsibility for what he is trying to do. The consequences of what he is trying to do will affect citizens for many years. He should be responsible for the consequences for many years to come. The minimum every elected official owes the public is the truth. Obama has not been very truthful this far. In fact Obama is a high caliber con-artist. What he is doing would land an average citizen in jail for fraud. Bernie Madoff could take lessons from Obama. Obama is a league by himself Madoff is small fish in the billion dollar bracket. Obama can defraud an entire nation and defrauds in the trillion dollar bracket. Obama has managed to bankrupt the nation in less than 8 months. The USA is already bankrupt. They have not processed the paperwork yet to make it legally so.
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