South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson shouts 'you lie' at Obama

[Teacher Mark 53]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Republican House member shouted "you lie" during President Obama's health care speech to Congress on Wednesday, and members of both parties condemned the heckling.

Rep. Joe Wilson shouted "you lie" after President Obama denied the health care plan would cover illegal immigrants.

After the speech, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson issued a statement apologizing for his outburst.

"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," the statement 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 outburst came when Obama denied that proposed health care legislation would provide free health coverage for illegal immigrants. Immediately, Wilson shouted, "You lie!" Video Watch the outburst and the chamber's response »

The outburst caused Obama to stop and look toward the heckler. "That's not true," the president responded.

Behind him, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared shocked and turned toward the outburst as Vice President Joe Biden looked down and shook his head. Loud boos echoed through the chamber immediately after the outburst.

After the speech, Republican Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate defeated by Obama last year, called Wilson's outburst "totally disrespectful" and said he should apologize.

Appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live," he said there was "no place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately."

Don't Miss

* Obama presents health plan, attacks 'scare tactics'

Other Republicans also criticized Wilson, along with the expected Democratic condemnation.

"It was crude and disrespectful," said Sen. ####### Durbin of Illinois, a top Senate Democrat. "I think the person who said it will pay a price."

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, called on Wilson to go to the floor Thursday and apologize.

She said Wilson's comment and other GOP tactics "strike me as odd. ... The minority leader has to get control of his conference."

But Jackson Lee described Wilson as "a likeable guy, seemingly reserved" and said it was "rather surprising" when saw who shouted the comment.

After the speech, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, tweeted that it was the "biggest" disappointment of the evening.

advertisement

"Biggest disappointmnt of evening, the total lack of respect shown by one member for the President," she wrote. "Never acceptable to behave like a jerk."

Wilson, who has served five terms, represents the state's 2nd congressional district, which includes the state capital, Columbia, and stretches to Beaufort and Hilton Head Island.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/09/joe.wilson/

This might be the catalyst that pushes it over the top.

[Peikko 1,575]

I find it hard to believe how much the American system relies on the sort of pomp and ceremony that I thought they wanted rid of back in the day. I don't get why such speeches are so important. Reform I say, reform.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Bah - it's not a patch on Michael Heseltine.

He was a nutter, but when he grabbed the rod and swung it around his head in Parliament I was very happy.

[Peikko 1,575]

That was good, 'tis true

[luckytxn 2,265]

He is a politician so of course he lied.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Obama lied..... I'm shocked.

[silvanski 1]

Maybe Joe Wilson thought it was a town hall meeting ...yelling seems to be the norm for republicans these days like those radiopundits... are they're incapable of engaging in a civilized debate?

Edited September 10, 2009 by silvanski

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Maybe Joe Wilson thought it was a town hall meeting ...yelling seems to be the norm for republicans these days like those radiopundits... are they're incapable of engaging in a civilized debate?

a keen ovservation brother silvanski.

long live the dirt!

Daniel

[Pooky 3,825]

..... Behind him, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared shocked and turned toward the outburst as Vice President Joe Biden looked down and shook his head.

..... After the speech, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, tweeted that it was the "biggest" disappointment of the evening.

advertisement, "Biggest disappointment of evening, the total lack of respect shown by one member for the President," she wrote. "Never acceptable to behave like a jerk."

So, what was Joe doing that had Nancy looking shocked and him looking at the floor, I wonder?

And if it's never acceptable to behave like a jerk, why do we have politicians in the first place?

[Joseph & Ana 0]

I guess its more acceptible when the dems are booing in unison when Bush talked about reforming social security during a state-of-the-union no less. One guy yells incoherantly and ITS THOSE REPUBLICANS!! THEY DO IT ALL THE TIME.

How dare they interrupt the chosen one!?

[peejay 327]

Joe Wilson should have offered a rebuttal in a more appropriate manner and setting than heckling. He has since apologized. However, the president's comment about covering illegal aliens below is definitely disingenuous at best since provisions to put enforcement and verification mechanisms in place to ensure that illegal aliens cannot be covered were purpously killed by the Democratic leadership. These people talk out of both sides of their mouth depending on the audience they are speaking to (i.e.: the American people or La Raza, MALDEF, etc.). Illegal aliens are barred from working illegally in the USA, but we all know they do so openly and brazenly with the full knowlege of the current political elite even while the official unemployment rate hovers near 10%. These same people too have hobbled any workplace enforcement mechanisms as well. So too will illegal aliens receive taxpayer subsidized medical insurance for non emergency health care. Is anyone so gullible and naive to believe otherwise just because Obama says it ain't so?

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.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Someone clearly gets a lot of use out of their jump to conclusions mat.

[peejay 327]

Someone clearly gets a lot of use out of their jump to conclusions mat.

Some things are so fuсking obvious that one would have to be a total idiot not to draw any conclusions.

[Craneman 2]

I do not know if it is true or not, but I have heard Obama comment later

"White folks will do that to you"

If true, is this not a racist remark?

[almaty 19]

joe wilson is an idiot ,..even mccain took a shot at him.. a do nothing ...from a backward part of america..south carolina