Lawmakers Condemn Outburst at Obama
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.
"I was embarrassed for the chamber and a Congress I love," Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America." "It demeaned the institution."
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., told ABC on Wednesday: "Obviously, the President of the United States is always welcome on Capitol Hill. He deserves respect and decorum.
"I know that Congressman Wilson has issued an apology and made his thoughts known to the White House, which was the appropriate thing to do," Cantor said.
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.
After the speech, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said, "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."
"Let's see what he does," Hoyer told WTOP radio before Wilson issued an apology. "Then there's time enough to consider further action."
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.
More coverage of Health Care Reform
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.
Biden said Thursday that he hadn't spoken with Obama, but, "knowing the president, I'm sure he accepted the apology."
By late Wednesday, though, 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. 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."
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
AP "I was embarrassed for the chamber and a Congress I love," Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America." "It demeaned the institution."
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., told ABC on Wednesday: "Obviously, the President of the United States is always welcome on Capitol Hill. He deserves respect and decorum.
"I know that Congressman Wilson has issued an apology and made his thoughts known to the White House, which was the appropriate thing to do," Cantor said.
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.
After the speech, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said, "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."
"Let's see what he does," Hoyer told WTOP radio before Wilson issued an apology. "Then there's time enough to consider further action."
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.
More coverage of Health Care Reform
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.
Biden said Thursday that he hadn't spoken with Obama, but, "knowing the president, I'm sure he accepted the apology."
By late Wednesday, though, 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. 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."
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
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You look at this man, and you can see he has personal problems. NEITHER party approved of what he did.
I am one of those Americans with no voice and no job after making a good salary steadily since 1983 and I have very limited very high medical coverage. I also went through a period with no coverage. I did not understand when you were running why you asked America to help you in changing our Country. That is, until I see how divisive and corrupt the Republican Party has been. We will help you fight to help us. I have older retired family members and for the Republicans to lie and insinuate lies about killing them is beyond unethical. It should be unlawful. They had no regard for the terror and fear they instilled in our seniors. All they wanted to do was to incite a Riot against you by any means necessary. You have people like Beck, Dobbs, and Fox Media News as their cheering section and supporting the lies and the whole time inciting riots all over the United States and they had absolutely no Remorse. They had no compassion. They did not care about who would suffer the most from their lies. Instead of spending this time working on building and supporting a healthcare plan for 46 million Americans, they used the time Congress was on recess to divide America that is, until now. Rep. Charles Boustany then says now, now they want to start all over. He is joke and they need to go. Enough is enough and Joe Wilson?s temper tantrum was an embarrassment.
Then they had an idiot representative respond stating that they want to start all over again. They do not care about America. It is clear that they do not realize that they were given these jobs, not represent Evil or instill hate through lies, but to represent the people, Main Stream America of your state. Mr. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, you do not represent the Americans of your state. You are an Embarrassment. You showed extreme immaturity. The trifling, uncaring, unethical, and ignorant way The Republicans handle themselves clearly shows they are all about political agendas rather helping hurting people who desire change. Thank you President Obama for fighting for Main Street America and we now know that you said Yes We Can, because you need our help. You are not fighting alone any longer. We will help you by voting out the Trash and voting for America. We will Help You to Help Us. YES WE CAN.
GOD Bless You.
Just "think" about it realistically. None of them are perfect, not even close.
Use you head and think.
We must stop listening to the lies from both parties....we must become educated for ourselves on issues that truly effect us as Americans and we must stand together and do something about it. Free yourself from their mindset and begin to think INDEPENDENTLY ! Have your own mind, without anger. Be willing to be courageous and bold, which I beleive Mr Wilson was. Watch his face when he speaks...he was clearly upset with Mr. Obama telling an untruth. He was willing to speak what he believed....there are not many in congress who have the passion left to stick up for what's right. Don't knock him for his action, be grateful for his ability to speak freely and unsensored.
Once our voices are taken away...so will our FREEDOM be.
Of course illegal aliens will not be turned away.
Use your heads people.
Obama is obviously a master of doublespeak.
Joe Wilson for President !!!!!
Our government should not be in the health care business or any other business for that matter.
Our government has a regulatory role in business and that role should be minimized to the greatest practical extent.
Some may disagree...please tell me the last time that more government regulation has improved something?
Or conversely when has less government regulation made things worse?
The only exceptions that I can think of are natural monopolies such as some utilities.
If the "public option" becomes a reality all private options will be forced out due to lack of ability to compete with our taxpayer dollars.
Then the only health care choice will become the "public option"
Socialized government controlled health care is just around the corner folks if this bilge water legislation passes.
And other countries have already proven that socialized medicine is not the answer. And then there is Tenn Care.
Wilson issued a red-faced apology for his "lack of [sanity] civility" later last night. "I let my emotions get the best of me..."
Due to the absence of certain cognitive elements, it is usually only the immature and the insane that "let their emotions get the best of them".
Given Mr. Wilson's questionable mental state, if I were a SC Voter, I would certainly question Mr. Wilson's ability to properly represent me and/or my State. Now or in the future.
Tom Nass
5th Marine Division - WWII