Congressman Joe Wilson’s “You Lie” Outburst to President Draws Criticism, Praise
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The entire country is talking about what South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson did Wednesday night...during President Obama's speech on health care.
The entire country is talking about what South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson did Wednesday night…during President Obama’s speech on health care. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more on the reactions to the outburst.
Published: September 10, 2009
Columbia, SC—It wasn’t a shot heard ‘round the world, but it was certainly a shout heard nationwide.
As President Obama spoke to a joint session of Congress Wednesday night about health care, South Carolina’s 2nd District Congressman Joe Wilson shouted, “You lie!“ to the president, right after the president had said, “The reforms I am proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.“
The president stopped and looked toward Wilson, then continued his speech.
Wilson called the White House later Wednesday night to apologize, saying he let his emotions get the best of him. “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.“
Wilson told reporters in Washington Thursday, “I’m very grateful that the White House, in talking with them, they indicated that they appreciated the call and that we needed to have a civil discussion about the health care issues. And I certainly agree with that.“
He said the reason for his outburst was because two amendments to the health care reform bill, both of which would have required proof of citizenship, were defeated, so there’s nothing preventing illegal immigrants from being covered along with anyone else. But several non-partisan groups, including Politifact.com, have checked the facts and say the president is correct and that the health care bill would not apply to illegal immigrants.
Wilson’s Congressional website got so many hits after the outburst that it crashed and was down Thursday. All of the national news networks were talking about Wilson, as were talk radio hosts, including Rush Limbaugh.
Critics and supporters also flooded Wilson’s offices in South Carolina and Washington.
Ken Robbins, a constituent, went to Wilson’s West Columbia office. “I wanted to come by just to, in person, voice to the Congressman how embarrassed and disappointed I was in his behavior last night,“ he said.
The South Carolina conference of branches of the NAACP called a news conference to express its outrage and disappointment over what it called Wilson’s disrespectful act. SC NAACP president Dr. Lonnie Randolph told reporters, “The conduct that took place last night is consistent with the conduct that has taken place at these so-called town hall meetings that, in many cases and instances, has looked more like a bar room brawl.“
But Wilson also has plenty of supporters, especially in his home county of Lexington. Outside the Sunset Restaurant in West Columbia, a common campaign stop for Republicans running for office, Eric Brown said, “His outburst was what a lot of people were feeling about what’s going on.“
Jeff Miller, also a constituent of Wilson’s, said, “I think that it’s unfortunate that Congressman Wilson made the comment. Not that I disagree with his comment. I think he was right to question Obama on it, but it wasn’t the forum to do it. And I think it took emphasis away from what Obama was saying and now the focus is on Wilson and the fact that he said it.“
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Reader Reactions
Since Joe Wilson has made is famous shout out to the president. I have been called a racist. Its time for all parties to relize we as americans are tired of all politics. We are taxpaying citizens and all these bills that are being past are wrote in such legal terms that most cant read let alone understand. If you taxpayers could read the healthcare bill you would see it is wrote to work against itself. Call me what you want but this is my country and I bleed red white and blue. please educate yourself to this bill instead of listening to our goverment tell you what you want to hear about the bill.
I’m so glad that the “MORALS” are showing not only their children,but ALL of America what thy’re REALLY about- a bunch of whining,disrespectful crybabies.GREAT EXAMPLE!!It amazes me that they all claim to be so educated when they misconstrue the facts, and claim to be so Christian, yet they could care less about ANYONE but themselves just to get their way, and using the usual scare tactics.Better watch out-EVERYONE reaps what they sow.It could be you or your mother or daughter who can’t get decent medical help when its needed.Reform has been needed for YEARS, yet they keep putting it off because of their own greed and selfishness.How UNAMERICAN is that?Reform cannot wait any longer.Start working TOGETHER to solve the problem and get over yourselves.This is one of the main reasons the man won.He’s trying where the repubs failed,did not have a plan,and did not care about the common working man who doesn’t get a bunch of tax breaks and is scratching out a living.
I don’t see any difference between the congressmans comment and President Obama’s comment on people that disagree with his plan. He was just expressing his freedom of speech.
Today I feel very ashamed of my Southern heritage. This type of outrageous and uncivilized behaviour is truly a shame on all Southerners. Joe Wilson’s conduct smacks of veiled racism that will slow this country up on the road to true freedom and progress. Have you Republicans no limits at all? I am surprised at the ease at which the Right Wing operative can convince the working class that the Liberal are trying to give their money away. You did not bat an eye when George W. Bush pulled the trigger on a war that has cost us BILLIONS!
Come on WJBF-TV you could not even show Yellin’ Joe apologizing in your clip shown on this web site! That is what people want to hear. Or is it that he did not actually apologize and you cooked up this text quoted in the article “ “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.“ “.
Jimi from Indiana can you explain what this “FREE AMERICA” would look like? Who do you think is going to pay for all your freedom? You want micro government that many Republicans are always talking up then who is going to fund all the pork barrel Federal money that the very same Republicans are pulling back to their districts in all the poor rural states? Wake up angry man and join us all in the 21st century.
Why should Congressman Joe Wilson be sorry for speaking the truth? If we had more Joe’s with a spine like him we would be on track to a better FREE AMERICA.I tried to access his web page to donate money to his campaign fund,his site has been down today due to high traffic…I do hope it’s from other donors.I live in the Free State of Indiana and my money goes to Joe.Heck we all know if Obama’s mouth is moving he’s lieing.
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