Will House Democrats Censure Joe Wilson?

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

5302808Updated 3:09 p.m. ET

Unlike fellow South Carolina Republican Mark Sanford, Rep. Joe Wilson isn't turning to an "apology tour" to do damage control.

Wilson, whose "You Lie!" outburst during President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on health care reform last Wednesday drew widespread criticism (and some praise), was directed by Republican leadership to apologize to the president shortly after the speech, and he did so. Over the weekend, he said that had been sufficient.

"I am not going to apologize again," Wilson said on "Fox News Sunday." "I believe the American people know I'm a civil person. I respect the institution of the House. I have apologized to the president. I believe that should be enough."

House Democrats do not, however, and they have demanded that Wilson apologize for the outburst to his colleagues on the House floor. If he does not – and it certainly appears that he won't – House leaders are threatening to introduce a "resolution of disapproval" today or tomorrow.

Brendan Daly, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, cited rules prohibiting members from impugning the integrity of the president while they are speaking in committee meetings or on the House floor in explaining the reasoning behind the possible resolution.

"There was a violation of the rules of the House," he said, according to The Hill. "It needs to be resolved by an apology or a resolution."

But the politics of such a resolution – which would be less than a formal censure, as the Hill notes – are less clear cut than Democrats might hope. Those who back such an action want to use Wilson's outburst to help convince skeptical voters (particularly independents) that Republicans have no real interest in a civil conversation about health care reform. From their perspective, keeping Wilson in the headlines is a net positive.

But there are others who fear that Wilson could be elevated into a hero among the sorts of Republicans who showed their anger at the August town hall meetings and the Glenn Beck-backed Sept. 12 protests in Washington. And while some Democrats may dismiss such critics, others fear inflaming a vocal contingent who were little help to the president's efforts at health care reform over the summer.

The White House is steering clear of the debate: After discussing what he called the "coarsening of our political dialogue" in reference to the speech, President Obama was asked on "60 Minutes" last night if he thinks the House should pass a resolution criticizing Wilson. (Watch the "60 Minutes" interview.)

"But see, this is part of what happens," he responded with a chuckle. "I mean, it becomes a big circus instead of us focusing on health care."

Asked about White House support for the resolution, spokesman Robert Gibbs declined to offer a position, telling CNN he is "going to let the House figure out how to deal with that."

Wilson is arguing that Democrats are trying to play politics with his outburst. He came out on the offensive over the weekend, suggesting that the House resolution represents "exactly what the American people do not want to see, do not want to hear."

Despite an outpouring of campaign contributions for his Democratic challenger, Wilson appears to have solid support in his South Carolina district in the wake of the outburst.

"Rep. Wilson has apologized to the President, and the President accepted his apology," House Republican Leader John Boehner said in a statement. "Last Thursday, Speaker Pelosi said that she believed it was time to move on and discuss health care. I couldn't agree more, and that's why I plan to vote 'no' on this resolution."

More Coverage from CBSNews.com:

The Joe Wilson Chronicles

Andrew Cohen: Joe Wilson's War

Joe Wilson's "You Lie!" Spurs Support, Criticism

Joe Wilson Becomes the Latest Online Craze

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by daisyjingles September 16, 2009 12:44 AM EDT: What is truly sad about Mr. Wilson's churlish behavior is that the Republican leadership had to ASK him to apologize to the President. He did not think of it on his own.

Also, even right before the historic House vote he STILL did not understand the magnitude of his ugly behavior and that it was a violation of House rules.

It was my understanding that although Mr. Wilson apologized to the President upon the request of leaders in his party, he offered no apology to the people listening to the speech in the hall and also to millions of listeners around the world.

His hate speech affronted his fellow Representatives, the Senators attending, the Vice-President and the guests, including the First Lady, Mrs. Biden and Senator Kennedy's widow.

Can Mr. Wilson get past this? He might if he uses this opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons. He has an audience for a small window of time (the fifteen minutes of fame, so to speak) and it would serve him well to direct his passion toward helping to draft effective, responsible legislation that will seriously improve health care in the United State. Instead of behaving like the "Party of No " he could become a "Yes, we can man. " That would be a much preferable legacy.; Reply to this comment


by thadius5 September 15, 2009 8:56 PM EDT: Words spoken can never be taken back and many people will never forget Wilson's outburst toward the President (which has never happened before during a Presidential Speech in Congress). Just because the President has forgiven him doesn't mean Congress or the American people have. I'm quite sure many Americans (and history) will never forget this incident. It is unforgivable! Wilson says he sorry. I say Mr. Wilson "You Lie!"; Reply to this comment


by msimamaji September 15, 2009 11:25 AM EDT: I read an article by Holly Bailey on Newsweek.com posted on September 10, 2009
Bailey points out that he voted 11 times against health care for Veterans, even though he receives government-run, tax-payer subsidized TRICARE himself. That's a really "patriotic" way to support the truth.
While some people might argue that Joe Wilson is being punished too much, another apology is long overdue. Joe Wilson needs to apologize to all Iraq/Afghan war veterans for denying them the very health care that he himself receives.; Reply to this comment


by peabody- September 15, 2009 10:35 AM EDT: Joe Wilson did apologize and shouldn't apologize again. I heard no outrage when the democrats booed President on the floor at his State of the Union speach. I heard no apology from Steny Hoyer, Nancy Pelosi, etc. for their comments about the American people at the tea party rallies! The democrates in congress are such hypocrites and sophomoric. This is what they are spending time on. CBS is also at fault for giving this such coverage when they didn't cover or demand any apology from congress or it representatives in prior rude behavior. No wonder the American people do not trust the pressl; Reply to this comment

by pasmalltown September 14, 2009 11:51 PM EDT

by jsd330 September 14, 2009 4:56 PM EDT
Nothing in the oath about disparage, the only refrence to the POTUS is that you will obey his orders. Since Wilson is no longer a member of the Armed Forces and was discharged, his oath is no longer in effect. That's why it is administered each time you re- enlist, as jeepned said he took the oath 5 times in 20 years, each time he re-enlisted.
________________________
I understand the point you're trying to make here, however a few comments on respect for the Presidency from a Sep. 11, 2009 AP article about heckling the President:

"Some have compared Wilson's outburst to those that occur routinely in Britain's House of Commons, when the prime minister is answering questions. But one political analyst says this is vastly different, because the prime minister isn't the head of state.
Our president is the head of government and also the head of state, the combination of the country and the government," says Steven Cohen, professor of public administration at Columbia University. "We expect a certain amount of deference to the president, in the same way as we would for the queen. Here, we combine the two roles."

So just saying "obey his orders" is a little lame whether you're in the military or not.

Again,"Our president is the head of government and also the head of state" - Every American should show respect for the Presidency. Certainly no reasonable person can argue that showing "disparagement" towards someone is being respectful of that person. If Wilson is an American as he claims to be, he should not call the President a liar. He can disagree with the President's viewpoint(s), but in a more respectful way and in a proper setting. This is no doubt the reason why the RNC "convinced" him to apologize - he was wrong. You cannot defend his actions the other night in any manor, shape or form - if you're a reasonable American.

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by peabody- September 15, 2009 10:38 AM EDT: You don't have to defend Joe Wilson but, you should at least recognize that the Democrates in congress who booed President Bush during the State of the Union speach didn't arouse your anger. Why is that?


by woeisme1 September 14, 2009 4:44 PM EDT: I think it would be advantageous for the democrats to let this go. There is a new poll coming out probably tomorrow that was taken after the rally the republican extremists had in DC recently. It will say that the majority of Americans are abhored by the behavior of these extremists.

Joe Wilson was the liar. Everyone knows that. The extremists won't admit that. For the dems to censure him will be overkill, like the republicans are so fond of.

We don't want America turning a deaf ear to us as they are now doing to the republicans.; Reply to this comment

by scvoter1 September 14, 2009 4:36 PM EDT

Missheidi said, "The health care bill requires no verification as to citizenship so Obami needs to apologize to Joe Wilson as Joe was right."

Joe Wilson did not require verification when he voted for the 2003 bill (currently in effect) to reimburse hospitals for medical care for illegal immigrants. Why is it important now?

Republicans probably did not require citizenship be proven in 2003 when they controlled Presidency, the House and the Senate, is because if illegal aliens must show verification as to citizenship, everyone will have to show citizenship or how will illegal aliens be discovered?

If Republicans have changed their minds and want this requirement, we will all soon have to carry and show proof of citizenship as well as our drivers license and proof of insurance cards when we visit the hospital and doctor's offices.

Any single type of identification can be falsified, we will be using a wheelbarrow to carry of the identification the Republicans will require to prove our citizenship.

Thank the Congressman Joe Wilson, from my district unfortunately, if this happens...

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by peabody- September 15, 2009 10:46 AM EDT: You won't have to carry a wheelbarrow to carry your ID. You will have to carry a wheelbarrow of money! If there is so much money wasted on waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare today why are we waiting for the bill to pass to do something about it? And if there is this much abuse in Medicare now what will happen when the Feds control ALL healthcare?This isn't a republican or democrat issue. It is an American taxpayer issue. Stop letting them divide us by party, race, religion, gender and economics. That is what they always do best.

by thebob-bob September 14, 2009 4:23 PM EDT

He was rude to the President and apologized (sort of). However, he violated the rules of conduct, formal rules of behavior that members of Congress are required to adhere to or face disciplinary action. He can apologize the the Executive branch all he wants (or was forced to by his own leadership). Now he needs to apologize to the legislative branch, his own colleagues.

Fear, Hatred, Distortion, Distraction and Division. That's all Republicans have to offer.

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by sickofstupidity September 14, 2009 6:19 PM EDT: Will the democrats ever apologize for heckling the President Bush at the 2005 State of the Union? We are still waiting for that!!


by dnhines September 14, 2009 3:50 PM EDT: Joe the Dumber explain on Thursday that he got a call from the Repugnicant leadership asking him to apologize, so he did. Boy that's remorse if I've ever seen it.

He needs to show remorse and contrition. That doesn't come from Repub leadership, it's a personal response from feeling responsible for his repugnant actions.

I he doesn't apologize, censure him.

Maybe the 30K people who showed up from all over the in Washington this weekend to support Glenn Beck will also support Joe Wilson. With those numbers he couldn't get elected for school board.; Reply to this comment


by missheidi September 14, 2009 3:35 PM EDT: The health care bill requires no verification as to citizenship so Obami needs to apologize to Joe Wilson as Joe was right. I'm still waiting for Obami to apologize to the Mass. State Police which he never did. And they should be investigating Peelosi for why she allows that tax cheat Rangel to thumb his nose at taxpayers, and how about investigating ACORN and their crack staff at their Baltimore and Wash. DC giving advice to how to cheat the system. And how about that Comrade Van Jones who made racial comments and why this whacko was ever appointed to Obami's staff. Are any of you dumdemos looking into the bizarre behavior of this admin?; Reply to this comment