WASHINGTON -- A South Carolina Republican lawmaker shouted "You lie" at President Barack Obama as he addressed Congress on Wednesday. The congressman later apologized for his "lack of civility."
In his speech in the House chamber, Obama was telling lawmakers that the Democratic plans for health care overhaul do not cover illegal immigrants.
"The reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally," Obama said.
"You lie!" Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina shouted from his seat, jabbing a finger in the air.
In a statement, Wilson said later that he regretted the incident.
"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me," Wilson 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."
Wilson's outburst caused Obama to pause briefly and say, "That's not true."
Behind him House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could be seen glaring in Wilson's direction, but there was no move by Democratic leaders to censure Wilson. First lady Michelle Obama, in the visitors' gallery, shook her head from side to side disapprovingly.
Neither the House nor the Senate health care overhaul bills would provide coverage for illegal immigrants.
Wilson's wasn't the only interruption during Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress.
Earlier, Republicans laughed when Obama acknowledged that there still were significant details to be worked out before a health overhaul can be passed.
Following the speech, it was Obama's Republican rival from last year's presidential race for the White House who defended the president.
It was "totally disrespectful," Arizona Sen. John McCain said on CNN of Wilson, a conservative who has opposed Obama's economic remedies. "There is no place for it in that setting, or any other, and he should apologize for it immediately."
Comments
1. John McCain is no conservative! Never has been, never will be! Like Arlen Spector, he is a Democrat posing as a Republican. 2. If the tables were turned and it were a Republican being heckled the Democrat leadership would be applauding the heckler reminding us of the right to free speech.
The issue is not that he voiced his opinion (which he is entitled to), but the manner in which he chose to do so. When the president is speaking in front of a national audience and you are a guest present, you sit there and you keep quiet. You do not have to agree with what he is saying, but you have no right to interupt him either. If Wilson could not have kept his opinions quiet until after the speech then he should not have attended. END OF STORY.
There are 435 Representatives in the U.S. House and, presently, 99 Senators in the U.S. Senate; while I don't have any idea how many of them attended the President's speech last night, I do know that only ONE of them in attendance was a churl. Representative Joe Wilson, R-SC is a disgrace and he has stained the image of the genteel South. Hopefully, his term as a U.S. Representative will come to an end next year. GGpap
Maybe Wilson and Sanford should attend a crash course entitled "Behaviors Characterizing Southern Gentlemen." Of course, that's assuming they aspire to be gentlemen.
hopefully all of their terms will come to an end soon, it is time for America to wake up and do something about all the people in washington who claim to "represent the people"
This no good bum should be reprimanded by Congress. He is just plain stupid, and does not have any civility or manners.
My moma use to say if you don't know how to ACT stay home, what a dumm dummy, SC already is in the news with Sanford now this nut.
Perhaps its time to throw civility out the window. We need to take our country back. I sense patriotism in Mr Wilson. Remember, this country wasn't won with civility, but blood and guts.
Take our country back from what? from who? LOL OMG Nutcase... what you sense in Wilson is looneytism, get it right.
Perhaps he was responding to Obama who had just called him a liar. It wasn't right, but only shows the frustration being built by this divisive administration. The speech was a big disappointment. No attempt at bi partianship, just more inflamatory speech by the President. It accomplished nothing. We are still stuck right where we were yesterday. A hour of our lives we won't get back.
Obama was telling a lie to the whole world. You think its better to sit quietly? This is not a race issue as most of you want it to be. This is about if we want the goverment forcing more and more rules and taxes. Do your homework and check out the reasons this counrty was started. People are tired of being lied to on both sides. The whole goverment needs replacing!
Good for you, Joe Wilson! You verbalized what many in the audience were thinking, along with the viewers at home. When Prezbhojangles said that the plan would not be extended to "illegals", he did lie. If the readers will look closely at the provision, anyone can sign up for healthcare WITHOUT proving citizenship, therefore, "illegals" WILL be able to sign up for healthcare. Prezbhojangles is a liar and his entire reign thus far is nothing but smoke and mirrors.
He could have responded later. Add to the SC nut job politician list.
Joe Wilson is remarkable by South Carolina standards. Their governor's a megalomaniac; their lieutenant governor is fighting off critics with his designer handbag; their senior senator is hiding out at truck stops and Joe Wilson manages to upstage all THAT?! This man's got talent. He should win his party's nomination for idiot-in-chief.
Another example of a right wing zealot who is no longer capable of approaching any discusssion with intelligence and reflection. Could you imagine being in a room alone with this guy trying to discuss a controversial subject? He would be not only angry but intimidating. Calling the president a liar in public is a sign this man is out of control. He will harm someone some day - wait and see. I'll bet he already verbally abuses his wife and children.
I thought the what Rep. Dingell said afterward was right on the money! " Well you've got to understand . They're republicans . They are just doing what comes natural"
Joe Wilson has also joined with more of South Carolina's lawmakers to Embarasse the fine Citizens of South Carolina. They deserve better than Sanford and Joe Wilson. Lindsley Graham is not too far behind. You VOTERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA deserve better. Goodluck on the next ELECTION.
Illegal Immigrants will still get health care free I don't care how you tell it. This country does not turn away from helping them.
I think there is a time and place for ranting. I think that was poor judgement for Joe. But he has a right to voice what he thinks. SC has along road to haul with schools, politics and economics. But don't put us down like we are a third world country. I love my country and my state. I will fight to keep it. Would you not.
Funny how all Obama has been saying for months is we need to help the 47 million uninsured people in the U.S. Last night, all of a sudden, it is only 30 million. What is the difference? Illegals. You figure it out.
Dashiel- and don't forget the Sanford-appointed chairwoman of the State Board of Education who suddenly resigned amid rumors of her "side hobby" of writing porn under a pen name. This from a "good Christian" woman who advocated for abstinence only in schools.
devdoz, Yeah, and Obama is a Democrat, lying is as natural as breathing to him. It's only him behaving like a Democrat.
So old Joe apologized to the President for a lack of civility? How about apologizing for a lack of decency, a lack of honesty and a lack of knowledge? How about apologizing to the people of South Carolina and the Nation? How about just leaving and taking Mark Sanford with you? But overall thanks Joe. I think you helped pass health care legislation last night by showing the kinds of jerks who oppose it.
Finally the president called out for what he is. I applaud Wilson's behaviour for voicing his opinion. This man is a hero for not allowing the country to once again be lied to without retribution. We need more leaders willing to standup and tell the truth instead of sitting back and just taking whatever is being fed to them.
It's sad but I've never even heard of him until last night LOL...
Why should the conservatives show civility when we have prezbho, pelosi, reid, and other libs calling Americans names and showing no civility. The libs have shown more respect to our enemies than they have to American citizens. prezbho just can't stand to have anyone disagree with him and even threatened in his speech. Watch the Chicago thugs come out in full force. That mentality never goes away.
There is NOTHING in HR 3200 that provides healthcare for illegal aliens. Page 143 states: "Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States." factcheck.org.
People don't like to hear the truth........
TechLover, are there any illegals receiving any federal subsidies now? I'm sure there are more than 'just a few'. Just because it's not written in any bill submitted by the left doesn't mean there isn't wording that could be interpreted and enforced as "...treat everyone, no questions asked...". Being intentionally blind to reality isn't an asset, except by those interested in being blind. RealLife.now
Techlover, there is also nothing in this document to police the benefits. Just as easily as illegals get into this country, they will find a way to take advantage of this proposal. Show me something in this document that woould prevent an illegal from taking advantage. Just because it says no benefit, doesn't mean no benefit. After all, don't we have a law saying they aren't supposed to be here to begin with and yet they are still here.
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