THE breach
Never before has an elected federal official done what Rep. Joe Wilson did Wednesday night: The South Carolina Republican shouted "You lie!" at President Obama during his health-care speech before a joint session of Congress and a national television audience.
Mr. Wilson's outburst was in response to the president's assertion that: "There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false ... The reforms -- the reforms I'm proposing -- would not apply to those who are here illegally."
THE FACTS
The facts back up Mr. Obama's claim. The House version of the health care bill explicitly prohibits spending any federal money to help illegal immigrants get health care coverage. Illegal immigrants could buy private health insurance, as many do now, but wouldn't get tax subsidies to help them. Still, Republicans say there are not sufficient citizenship verification requirements to ensure illegal immigrants are excluded from benefits they are not due.
THE APOLOGY
Mr. Obama said Thursday that he accepts Mr.Wilson's apology, which came "quickly and without equivocation." Mr. Obama also said he's a big believer that "we all make mistakes."
THE BACKLASH
U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., told reporters Thursday that when House decorum is violated, a lawmaker may introduce a resolution for expulsion, censure, reprimand or disapproval against the offending lawmaker.
"I have talked to the leadership about doing a simple resolution of disapproval, which is what I would prefer," said Mr. Clyburn, who as the majority whip, is the lower chamber's third-most powerful member.
"I hope between now and next Tuesday we can at least turn this around and get us back on track of making our state's image a little better," he added.
THE WINDFALL
Rob Miller, a Democrat who lost to Mr. Wilson last year in the general election by eight points, called the congressman's eruption "stunning."
Since Wednesday's speech, Mr. Miller has received more than $350,000 from 10,000 contributions, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
One posting on Mr. Miller's Facebook page -- from someone identified as Stephen McDow -- said, "I am an Independent who grew up in Washington, DC. I currently live in Southern California. The actions from Rep. Joe Wilson (R) SC, was so out of line that it provoked me to give a contribution."
HEALTH CARE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?
Illegal immigrants would not get tax credits or Medicaid coverage under the health care proposals before Congress, a nonpartisan congressional group says. However, they could be required to buy health insurance.
Proposal: Allow tax credits for some low-income people to offset the cost of health insurance premiums
Would illegal immigrants be eligible? No
Proposal: Extend Medicaid benefits to more low-income people
Would it apply to illegal immigrants? No
Proposal: Mandate that individuals have health insurance
Would it apply to illegal immigrants? Yes, if they live in the United States for at least 31 days in a calendar year or 183 days during the past three years.
Proposal: Create a health insurance exchange in which individuals could buy health insurance, including buying into a public option
Would illegal immigrants be eligible? Yes
Source: Congressional Research Service
-- The (Columbia) State
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The breach....saying the president was lying while he was lying on national tv. The facts....when Repubs tried to introduce an amendment to HB 3200 that specifically blocked illegals from receiving federal benefits the Dems voted it down (just as they did with the amendment to block federal funds from paying for abortions)(no one yelled "you lie" when the president lied about that) There are no enforcement provisions in the bill concerning illegals. The apology...Rep. Wilson immediately issued a sincere apology for his lack of decorum...but not for telling the truth when the president refused to. The backlash...when the final bill is written, this incident will be highlighted to show that Rep Wilson was justified in his comment, or the exclusionary amendments will be added. The windfall...the DNC transferred money to Rep. Wilson's opponent. We'll see how that turns out. This whole incident looks just like the angry left not getting away with another back door lie. No wonder the AP writes angry articles.
Illegal imigrants (or undocumented immigrants) as this administration prefers to call them will all be legal soon enough under the plans of this administration. Therefore, they really aren't lying, they wont be giving all of these benefits to illegal imigrants, they will just simply make them legal and then give them all of these benefits and then some. Don't belive me, then watch this video from CNN... http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/17260182/1610997888/name/ftc-vi26.wmv
Where is the outrage concerning the government giving a Wyoming border checkpoint that sees 3-4 people a day come to the U.S.$217 million and giving the Laredo border checkpoint that sees 25,000 people and 4200 trucks $0.They really think that we are being over run by Canadians that are taking our jobs.Typical
Wilson just might be 'our man' to make the run for president... seems he has the 'stones' that are lacking in the GOP!
Yes! By all means, run the crazy SOB! THAT's who we need in the White House, someone who has no decorum, calls out lies that don't exist, and panders to the ignorance of his constituents. Yeah, please, please run, Joe...I'd love to see you and Palin square off in a battle of wits (sic).
None are so blind as those who WON'T see.
Everytime one of you nuts are singled out, you all want to run them for President. PLease, please, please, please do. I beg you to. Even better let Palin be his running mate. The fact is, just like most of you, Wilson lack class.
None are so blind as a " Ditto Head".
Just when I thought Republicans couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this...and totally redeem yourself!
The assertion by followers in the "Lost Tribe" that once was the Republican Party that Joe Wilson should run for president is laughable...Obviously those who make such a foolish claim know nothing about Wilson's political past and know nothing about putting forth a canidate that has more than a snowballs chance in Hades of winning a presidential election. Joe Wilson was GWB's lap Terrier, he was the poodle in GWB's purse (metaphorically speaking, of course the former POTUS didn't have a purse, but ifhe did I'm just saying), he was the homeboy in the backseat of GWB's hooptie hanging out the window with the AK-47 blasting all 'dem liberal fools or ANYONE his homeboy GWB told him standing on the block...Joe Wilson for president will equate to GWB for president, and buddy that dog will never hunt! Go ahead and push him out there and see where you end up...Start by reading William Golding's book 'Lord of the Flies' to get a general idea of how the republican party is looking right now!
way to go Joe. it's time we all challenged this idiotic regime.
LOL lonelygrouse with all that CONFEDERATE crap he's involved in NOT... you talk about being embarassed now, if he does run for sure ALL his skeletons will come out. *SHRUGS*... He's a typical angry white man, typical.
Asitisinaug: Please share with us the "plans of this administration" that will make illegals legal??? btw, I prefer facts and not things cut and pasted from uncredited/bogus sources and websites.."I read it on the internet" is not good enough, as we al know, or should know anyone can blog and say anything on the internet...
And sadly most of the uneducated who are now saying "you go Joe" don't know anything about him besides what they have learned in the past 48 hours...Drive around in the 2nd District in SC and talk to folks, look at the state of most schools and the vacuum of jobs there, THEN see if you are so behind this embarrasing figure for the state...The reputation of SC was already bad, now the stereotypes the world holds about people from SC has a face...Stop the foolish rallying around idiots and find a LEADER, not a backwood hick who can't speak correctly!
Nativeson, why is honesty so offensive to you? Do you look good in the color brown?
so when did any democrat apologize to bush for calling him a lier publicly and often?......crickets. so when is the congressional hearing starting about the education speach like when Bush 1 did his?......crickets. lets not pretend incivility is a repbuplican only trait. He aplologized for his outburst. lets at least give him credit for that. Did anyone apologize for the LOUD boos when Bush gave his speeches to joint sessions to congress?.....crickets. You lefties just dont like it when it happens to your side, but its ok and funny when it happens to the other.
Seems to me, Obama initiated the "Call out" game, and Joe just led with the kick off.
nativeson, there is a mountain of information on immigration reform available. If you really want to know, go read it. I suspect you will agree with whatever position President Obama takes, so it would probably just be a waste of your time.
I appreciate Joe's honesty; good call but wrong setting. I hope that he will continue to challenge statements that are not true!!!!
Just go ahead and say it was because a black man is in the white house and get it over with. Im sure you will feel much better about yourselves.
It's certainly okay to disagree or challenge, but in the appropriate setting. Imagine if your chilidren reacted the same way when they dont agree with their teacher. Where is the outrage at the disrespect for the institution of the Presidency?!
Where is the outrage? Your kidding..right?
If Joe is so righteous as to be telling the truth, why not tell the whole truth and let us all know the real reason, Repubs are in such disarray concerning our President. Does his being a black man with much more intelligence than you all can muster together have anything to do with it? Be honest with yourselves even if you are afraid to be honest out loud. Racism at its finest.
Was there an outrage when the Dems booed GWB during his 2005 SOTU address??? OF COURSE NOT. Go check it out on Youtube - Ahhh how soon we forget. A crook is a crook is a crook. Oh BTW...... Go to most any ER and see all the ILLEGALS
in there getting FREE healthcare! Think thats going to change???
The Dems want amnesty - It's been an issue for a long time.
Sorry, but we need to take care of ours!
Harry Reid never apologized to G.W.for calling him a liar and other names. Oh I forgot he's a Democrat. Double Standards
NitiveSon: I did share with you CNN footage but you can also look this information up for yourslef. I only shared CNN because so many on the left, even though they have never watched Fox News simply choose not to believe what they say. Here is the link again for you to cut/paste/watch and to the best of my knowledge CNN is not just some blog.
http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/17260182/1610997888/name/ftc-vi26.wmv
Who cares if the democrats have double standards - If one of ours who represents us does wrong, that is what should make us mad just as it did the leadership within the Republican Party. If we would concentrate on making oursleves better and doing what is right and if Bush had stuck with true conservative beliefs, we wouldn't be in the mess we are now in and would still have conservative leadership.
I see no requirement to verify the eiigibility of those applying for health care under the bill as outlined above. If an illegal immigrant says he or she is a citizen how do you prove him or her wrong?
I hold a man in high esteem who can recognize a liar whereever he meets one regardless of any attempts at disquise. Joe Wilson does not represent my district but I intend to send him a campaign donation.
Also it will be interesting to see how much of the $750,000 people SAY they are going to donate to his opponent's campaign actually gets delivered. Put your money where your mouth is.
He should retract the apology and call BHO what he is again!! I may have to move to SC to vote for this guy!
TO OBAMA...............It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"...........Patrick Henry 1775...............We will have not a socialist society !!!!!!