Congressman Joe Wilson’s Aiken County Constituents React to Outburst

Aiken County, SC—They were the two words, heard ‘round the world, but they were said by a man who represents voters right here in the Two-State.

South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson serves District 2, which includes the north part of Aiken County, as well as Barnwell County and Allendale County.

John Brecht, Aiken County Democratic Chairman: “Not only was it rude and disrespectful. It just shows him to be a man that embraces inaccurate and distorted views.“

Aiken County Democratic Chairman John Brecht says Congressman Wilson was accusing the president of not being honest when it comes to providing health care for illegal immigrants.

Brecht: “House HR 3200 states that there will be no healthcare given to illegal aliens, and our President of the United States said that. Mr. Wilson still embraces some distorted view that appeals to a very small and vocal minority.“

Republican State Senator Shane Massey disagrees.

State Senator Shane Massey: “I know the President has said, and other people have said, illegal immigrants would not be able to collect government benefits under this plan. I wish they would take a look at it, make sure that’s going to be the case.“

Massey says many of people the Congressman represents are angry over the health care reform package.

Sen. Massey: “People are mad, they’re not only concerned and frustrated, people are mad…and he’s expressing the anger he’s been hearing…but he let his emotions get the better of him, and that was probably not the best place to express that.“

Brecht: “That’s a poor excuse, that’s a poor excuse. Mr. Wilson should be more knowledgeable, of the issues he’s voting on, and not reacting to what he’s heard in those ginned up town hall meetings.“

Fellow Congressman Gresham Barrett, who represents the other half of Aiken County, says of his friend Joe Wilson: “He realizes it was an inappropriate action. He has reached out to President Obama to offer an apology, which I hope the President accepts. It is important that we move on from this incident so that we can better focus on the issues at hand.“

Brecht: “Yet another embarrassment to South Carolinians, brought about by their elected officials.“

But some Republicans say the outburst will certainly highlight issues they’d like to see addressed…

Sen. Massey: “It definitely is getting some attention.“

The finger-pointing lawmaker might have been relatively unknown to the rest of the country on Wednesday night, but by Thursday morning, his website was so busy, it was shut down.