Republicans on Attack Over Joe Wilson Resolution

(AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

Republicans have gone on the attack over House Democrats' decision to offer up a resolution of disapproval against Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting "you lie!" during President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress last week.

"In another stunning example of hypocrisy, congressional Democrats are wasting taxpayers' time and resources on a legislative measure to censure Congressman Joe Wilson so they don't have to talk about their exceedingly unpopular health care plan," said Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele in a statement.

"If we are going to march members down to the well of the House to apologize, Joe Wilson is going to have to get in line behind Nancy Pelosi, who attacked the intelligence community who protects us, Charlie Rangel who cheated on his taxes, Jack Murtha – a walking scandal, and we all know how the Democratic leadership tried to protect William Jefferson," added Steele. "Democrats don't want an apology. They want a side show."

House Republican leader John Boehner has also criticized the move to censure Wilson, calling it "petty partisanship."

"Last Thursday, Speaker Pelosi said that she believed it was time to move on and discuss health care," he said in a statement. "I couldn't agree more, and that's why I plan to vote 'no' on this resolution."

Indeed, Pelosi initially indicated that she would not act against Wilson, but other Democratic leaders pushed for the resolution. Wilson apologized to the president for the outburst but vowed not to apologize separately to his fellow House members.

The House Rules Committee on Tuesday morning issued guidelines reminding members about the rules of decorum, which were first written by Thomas Jefferson, reports CBS News' Bob Fuss. They say you can attack the president's policies but not use "personally offensive criticism" against him.

The guidelines, which you can see here, come with examples. It seems a House member can say a president's position is a "disgrace to the country," or that members of his administration are "half-baked nitwits." But you can't call the president a "liar" or a "hypocrite."

Also apparently off limits: To "refer to the President as 'giving aid and comfort to the enemy,'" and to "refer to alleged 'sexual misconduct on the President's part.'"

Democrats are not united in the move to informally censure Wilson. While Congressional Black Caucus head Rep. Barbara Lee suggested that the resolution is necessary for the sake of "civility and decorum of the House," the Associated Press reports that Rep. Barney Frank sees things differently.

"I think it's bad precedent to put us in charge of deciding whether people act like jerks," he said. "I don't have time to monitor everyone's civility."

More Coverage from CBSNews.com:

Joe Wilson Gets Choked Up Over Floor Speech

Joe Wilson's Wife: I Couldn't Believe He Said It

Race Issue Simmers in Joe Wilson Flap

Will House Democrats Censure Joe Wilson?

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

[rickreid1]

As usual the Republicans have GOT to back their own. Unfortunately, the racism is rapidly becoming rampant and a part of their ongoing crusade against President Obama. Get over it boys and girls...you lost the election....he's got more on the ball it seems than any of you spineless dweebs...and it's about time some came out against you besides the President himself. It takes a former President Carter who grew up and lived in the south to speak about racism. It's still there he says and a lot of people just can't tolerate a black President.

Too bad, it's high time for intelligence and smarts to take over. Up until now it's been all white....how great a job have any of them done? The last President put us in danger of bankruptcy and also made our rights as American citizens expendable.

I just wish these fanatics would go to a place far, far away and start a country of their own...like some remote islnd in the Pacific Ocean.

[pamnc2mi]

Keep it up Dumbocrats. Joe Wilson's campaign war chest will be bursting with supportive conservative cash!

[speaknow2]

President Obama should stay out of the Wilson mess. Wilson is a racist and a coward. I wanted to leave a message on his website but there is no way to post an email to him.

He is fanning the sentiments of the underground racists who can't fathom the idea of having a bi-racial president. Well, remember this, this country beloved to the first nation, long before you arrived...so you have no moral legs to stand on....

We who endured Jim Crow know a racist when we see and hear one...subliminal or blatant. Ironically, Michael Steele (Mr. Window-dressing token leader of the Republican Committee) is not one, but he has no problem accepting 30 pieces of silver to be with Klansfolk who hate him just the same but think they can fool people into thinking they are not racist by putting him out front. If it quacks like a duck...

[speaknow2]

In 2000, Wilson voted against removing the Confederate battle flag from being displayed over the state house....

Let's call a racist a racist, shall we? Joe Wilson is a southern racist of the highest order. He has no respect for the Office of the Presidency (now) because it is occupied by a bi-racial person...a person of color.

What he and others of his Klan are doing (Blue Dawg Democrats included) is enticing the Confederacy-minded to rise again.

His calling President Obama a liar is nothing short of treason without reason, except for his abiding white supremacy ideologies. Hey, would CBSNEWS please ask Dr. Alain Poussaint what racism really is? He will tell you it is a mental illness. I hope the President's plan includes funds to cure people of racism.

[6591Hou]

"It only happened when this country elected a president of color," said Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia. Johnson said Wilson's comment amounted to a "wink" of approval to right-wing extremists who have brought highly charged language and imagery ? such as posters depicting Obama with a Hitler mustache or as an African witch doctor ? to the health-care debate. "He (Wilson) did not help the cause of diversity and tolerance with his remarks," Johnson said. "If I were a betting man, I would say that it instigated more racist sentiment feeling that it's okay ? you don't have to bury it now."
Johnson added that failing to rebuke Wilson would bring increased racism in the public discussion on health care, saying: "You can bring it out and talk about it fully, and so I guess we will probably have folks putting on white hoods and white uniforms again riding through the countryside intimidating people."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/15/house-deeply-divided-over-proposed-rebuke-of-obama-heckler/

[jackiebea3]

Joe Wilson, like all members of Congress, had access to an advance copy of President Obama's speech. He calmly waited through the speech, waited for the immigration point to be made, waited for the din to die down, and then "lost control" of his emotions. Wilson lied about what he did, lied about what he knew, lied about what was in the bill, and lied about what was not in the bill. Liars who serve in Congress need to be censured when they lie at the top of ther lungs, violating both the rules of order and the rules of decency

Wilson is guilty of duplicity and pandering for a few extra votes, a few extra bucks. South Carolina deserves better and we deserve better. Censure this idiot and strip him of his committee. Demint probably put him up to it anyway.

[woeisme1]

If Joe Wilson should apologize on the house floor it's because he violated house ethics rules. His apology to Obama was because he owed an apoplogy to Obama. His apology to the House is because he owes them one as well.

That with-standing, I think Obama had the right idea - "let's move on" he said. Everyone knows that Wilson is a loyale Confederate. He's probably a racist or at least race had some measure of blame for his boorish outburst. But do the democrats want to make this guy a martyr?

I don't. It's pretty clear this will only fire up his ignorant, violent base. They will donate more money to his campaign. Is that what we want? Do we want to help this guy win? The entire nation sees him as a loser right now.

The choice for dems is simple. Let it go and leave Wilson looking like a jackass. Or we can seek vengence and really end up helping this idiot.

[the74blaster]

Well stated! I tink its time to drop the topic and focus on somethng meaningful to the rest of us. Lets focus on finishing the healthcare bill.

[lawyertom1]

Let's see. Congressman belongs to white power organization and makes comment to Black President that is explicitly contradicted by Section 246 of the House bill. Racist comment? Absolutely. Stupid, uninformed, and typical Joe Wilson? Yup.

[tickyflea]

Listen... Joe Wilso was obviously out of line and his outburst is unexceptable. This is just a reflection of the frustration of the a big government takeover of the health care industry. Listen to Obama's own words with respect to evolving to a government run system in 2003. Health care needs reform but there is no need to rush into an experimental program.

[mjb89]

I'm a taxpayer and I do NOT feel that a public apology in the House of Representatives is a waste. In fact, I demand it. I've never seen such a display of arrogance.

[faceofus]

Wilson was wrong. There is no denying that. But Reid, who is helping to spearhead Wilson's censure seems to have forgotten his own outbursts in session in which he called Bush a liar twice. To further inflame people Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia stated that people will put on "white hoods and ride through the countryside" if emerging racist attitudes, which he says were subtly supported by Rep. Joe Wilson, are not rebuked. It is impossible to view these people as responsible representatives of the people. Obama should step in and put an end to it, as he did with the Gates episode.