Rep. Wilson Apologizes for Obama Speech Outburst

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has apologized for an outburst he made during the middle of President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress on health care.

In a section of the speech where Mr. Obama was trying to dispel myths about his plans, he said: "There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms -- the reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Wilson then yelled, "You lie" from the House floor.

Mr. Obama then said again "it's not true" before continuing the speech. (You can watch this at left.)

About an hour after the speech, Wilson released the following statement offering "sincere apologies" to the president:

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. 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."

Full CBSNews.com coverage of the president's speech on health care:

Obama Tells Congress to Stop Bickering
Full Video Full Transcript Speech Highlights
GOP Response: "It's Time to Start Over"
Marc Ambinder: Will Obama's Sales Job Work?
Mark Knoller: Obama Willing to Compromise — Up to a Point
Was Obama Clear on the Public Option?
Ted Kennedy's Letter to Obama
Rep. Wilson Apologizes for Obama Speech Outburst
Analysis: The Road Ahead for Health Care

[louiseroger]

I think what Mr Joe Wilson said is what we want to hear. I'm glad there is someone in Washington that will stand up for the people that can't be there. I wish he would say more. We are falling apart and someone needs to do the right thing and get us back on tract. We need more people like him.

[generationc]

These people are not concerned about American or the American People. They are only interested in
attacking anything that Obama does, hoping that something will work. You know it is really sad that
some people would rather watch other people suffer than support someone who is fighting to make a difference and speak out for the people finally and say it is not okay to overcharge them in healthcare. It is not okay to refuse to cover their healthcare expenses because of your lies that they
had a pre-existing condition. It is not okay to refuse to treat people sub-standard or let them die because they do not have or cannot afford healthcare. It is not okay to raise their healthcare charges and copay at a whem. It is not okay that people lose homes and jobs because of outrageous and predatory healthcare charges, Those that have experienced these horrible situations, need to stand with the president and fight against these Republican conservatives who just want to defeat Obama at anything and everything without the consideration of the suffering of the American People. They cannot and will not win. Thank you President Obama and I will fight with you against injustice and the fellow man, because it is not about politics, but it is about people.

[jschmidt333]

Methinks many may not want to hear this. So, those of you in the Presidential Propaganda Parade please take a deep breath. Federal court rulings prevent healthcare workers from asking about the immigration status of anyone. A California state law was stuck down precisely because California tried to do that. So, while the President may be "technically" correct that his version of the bill (which is not publicly available) may not provide benefits to illegal immigrants - (oops, sorry, expression police - make that "undocumented immigrants"), the practical reality is that every BODY within the porous boundaries of the United States will be provided healthcare under his plan. This healthcare will be paid for by those American citizens who have not been taught by ACORN to cheat on their taxes. What? You haven't heard about the ACORN offices (yes, that is plural) encouraging a prostitute to cheat on her taxes and set up a brothel with underage, illegal immigrant prostitutes? Guess not. After all this is a CBS news site. I'll not call anyone here ignorant, but it appears that many here are too busy with the Parade to see the dangers that are approaching.

[ricci10]

I,m not surprised at Mr. Wilson's outburst , Opponents of Health Care legislation are well versed on how to attempt to scuddle this Bill
Americans shoul be told the amount of contributions these people are receiving from H M O's and the lobbyists.
They should be representing thier constituants.

[registeredrepublican]

I am in my sixties and never do I remember such infantile behavior from a Congressman toward a duly elected President speaking in an official capacity to both chambers of Congress. Clearly, the Republicans respond to President Obama in this manner because they fear his ideas, dislike him for reasons they themselves won't acknowledge, but also because they have no good plans of their own. To me, Rush Limbaugh exemplifies this approach. Whereas Joe Wilson has an electorate to answer to, shouting from the crowd, or in Limbaugh's case hiding behind a microphone akin to hiding behind a mother's skirts in the playground during recess, represents a bully's approach and exemplifies weakness. Wilson will face his constituents in an upcoming election forcing him to engage in a debate on some level. Limbaugh never engages in debate with any credible representative of the other side. He prefers his smears to go reported by the media but not challenged face-to-face. Such is the Republican party these days, bereft of class certainly but bereft of thoughtful ideas as well.

[rickwar]

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) = The Republican party in general as of late.

In case you haven't noticed, you lost the White House the Congress and Senate last election.

As to "You Lie!" well, shall we talk about Iraq for starters?

A real apology? Give up your seat, regardless of positions or views, he's the President and deserves the respect the office holds.

[rickwar]

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) = The Republican party in general as of late.

In case you haven't noticed, you lost the White House the Congress and Senate last election.

As to "You Lie!" well, shall we talk about Iraq for starters?

A real apology? Give up your seat, regardless of positions or views, he's the President and deserves the respect the office holds.

[bigdawg444]

although i do not condone the comment,he was not lieing in fact illigal imigrants are covered now and they would be under the new plan covered in the sence they can go to a hospital and get emergency care today just as they would woth a new plan!! I do also agree with the the other commenteer that says it is hard to sit their! My thought is we americans should vote on this and any policy that affects all of us and or cost say over 500 billion

[sjbj2322]

I'm not sure what recourse the GOP or Senate has to discipline members for such actions but I sincerely hope they throw the book at this guy. Moreover, given that this was a nationally televised broadcast, he should be compelled to apologize to the American people for his shameful behavior.

[cattiej]

Jow Wilson has made the mistake of thinking the Republican party is his boss, they are not, the American people are. All the Republicans who sat on their hands when the President made some very positive statements are traitors to our country. This is OUR country, it will now be our duty as true Americans go throw the corrupt, crooked Republicans out of office. They need to be sued by their people for not protecting their healtcaare, These Republicans are our own homegrown terriorits. They live to tear up our government any way they can and damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead with their aisnine ideas. Karl Rove has behine this along with Russ Limblaugh, Blaugh. The Republicans are doing everything they can to derail our country, even if it costs us a finincial depression. They are all taking lobby money from the insurance business. They are just out and out crooks. Well, we the Aermican people are going to call them out. We are going to their offices and demand that they work with the President to pass healthcare reform. After all, everyone in that room tonight had excellant health insurance coursity of the American Taxpayer. If you can read this comment and their are some mispelled words it's because I don't have the moeny to go to the Ede Dr nor pay for new glasses. My insurance only helps for a portion every 4 years and I am diabetic so my vision changes more offen lately. Soon I will be partial blinc. I will still write with help from my family on these comment lines. I'm old, but I'm not out yet. God Bless us Everyone and God Bless America.

[U195]

I totally agree.