COLUMBIA --- Rep. Joe Wilson could face the toughest election fight of his career after shouting "You lie" during President Obama's health care reform speech to Congress.
Voters often frown on rude conduct, and Democrats would like nothing more than to have Mr. Wilson's scalp in 2010 -- not just to win another seat, but also to hold up the victory as evidence that even the conservative South rejects the vitriol that Mr. Obama is facing.
A decisive Wilson victory could also show the opposite: that voters in his South Carolina district are angry over Mr. Obama's policies and support Mr. Wilson's message, if not his style. In recent elections, rude conduct has contributed to the defeat of both conservative and liberal lawmakers in the South. Sen. George Allen of Virginia, a conservative darling, suffered a surprise defeat in 2006 after calling an Indian-American campaign worker "macaca" -- an ethnic slur in some countries. Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, a liberal, was tossed out of office the same year after striking a police officer who tried to make her show ID before entering the Capitol complex.
Mr. Wilson's race will be one of the most closely watched of the midterm cycle.
"It's actually boosted Joe's popularity among folks who agree with him," said Danielle Vinson, a political scientist at Furman University. However, she said it could cause problems for Mr. Wilson with voters who are transplants to South Carolina.
"This particularly will stick in their minds because they're still talking to friends and family who live elsewhere, and for them, this has been an embarrassment," she said.
About a quarter of Mr. Wilson's constituents are black, a voting bloc that has overwhelmingly supported Mr. Obama and is not likely to approve of his insult.
Mr. Wilson has generally had an easy time winning re-election. But there was evidence he might have been vulnerable to defeat even before the outburst.
His victory last November with 54 percent of the vote over first-time Democratic candidate Rob Miller raised red flags. Though the 8 percentage-point margin over Mr. Miller was still significant, Mr. Wilson's tally was far weaker than the 60 percent to 70 percent showings Republicans routinely post in the South. Also, Mr. Wilson's election results over the past four cycles show a consistent downward trend, from 84 percent in 2002 to 63 percent in 2006 and a low point last year.
His district stretches from Columbia toward the coast and encompasses wide economic contrasts. Allendale County traditionally registers the state's top jobless rate, while Lexington and Beaufort counties are among the most affluent.
Mr. Wilson's 2010 opponent will likely again be Mr. Miller, a former Marine captain who served two tours in Iraq. He lives in Beaufort and calls himself a "pro-gun, pro-military Carolina Democrat," running on priorities of improving the economy and balancing the budget. Both campaigns raised $1.5 million apiece in the week after Mr. Wilson's outburst.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Wilson's behavior, like that of disgraced SC Governor Sanford, is an embarrassment to all respectable and respectful South Carolinians.
Wilson's behavior is the most significant action taken since Obama took office. He shined the light on Obama's "unintended" misstatements and has caused amendments to be added to the extremely confusing bills offered so far. His outburst has awakened the "undecided" (and often uninformed) voter and made him realize he was being scammed. Embarrassing? Only to Obama and his unquestioning followers, and that was only because he was caught trying to run this scam. The attempt to make Wilson's outburst something else has been an abysmal failure.
Why would it take talking to someone out of state to be embarrassed by crazy Joe. That is an insult to South Carolinians.
No, it's an insult to liars. And, they are embarrassed, as they should be. Now something may be done about it, thanks to Joe Wilson's outburst.
The South Carolinians who claim they were insulted must be from the north! How about Obama you lie! Your trying to make our country a socialist country. Obama you lie! Your trying to break the backs of every taxpaying american who has to pay for your mistakes
If I was an SC native (pukes) he never would have gotten my vote and I for sure would now vote for Mr. Miller.
fruitpa, isn't that EXACTLY the point? Those that would have never considered voting for Wilson still won't and conservatives will.
I'm sorry for your confusion and lack of information, notscared. Do you really think the far left media outlets are reporting anything besides fantasies concerning Rep Wilson? The people embarrassed by Wilson's actions are the people who would never have voted for him in the first place. Exposing Obama's "misspeak" was what the rest of America wanted.
according to teharper, President Obama just can't do anything right...
libs continue to excuse, defend and ignore any facts about the incompetent prezbho, his crooked admin and their policies. Pay attention to the words/phrases that prezbho uses. Pay attention to those that prezbho surrounds himself with. Pay attention to his takeover of different private companies. If you're not concerned -- You're not paying attention...
Joe Wilson's boorish behavior has been closely linked to that of Kanye West, who is really dumb, and Serena Williams, who could kick the bejeezus out of most Southern white guys; but he still will not get any of the black vote in SC. In fact, I would expect the registration of black voters in his district to increase before the next election and the black turnout to be much higher on election day 2010. Joe's days are numbered; but like other GOP losers, he can find a place on Faux Noise!
Wilson's outburst was staged and is a part of the GOP'S lie machine.Republican operatives are running a secret campaign to kill health care reform.By stoppng the president on health care, Republicans hope to halt efforts to curb climate change and expanding labor rights.
Niko, black registration is already at 120% (thanks to ACORN). Do you really think it'll go up again?
LOL, 3head. You must have seen SNL
WhippinBoy I want you to go into your little secret place in your cave and carefully re-read the comment from Notscared. I know the truth hurts, but you are suppose to be a big (biggot) boy and able to take it. If you are lucky, his truth will set you free. Good luck.
Actually Joe the Senator consulted with Joe the Plumber right before the President's "Pull the Wool Over Their Eyes" sales pitch and Joe the Plumber assured him that there was a job waiting for him.
PoorRoe, (is that subsidized fish eggs), are you referring to "the truth" of living under a rock? How will that set me free?
Demographics (2000 census)
Population: 668,668
Under 18: 25%
Over 65: 11%
Married: 56.8%
Non-Hispanic White: 68%
Black: 26%
Hispanic: 3%
Asian: 1%
Foreign Born: 3.8%
Language other than English: 6.6%
Median Household Income: 42,915
Owner Occupied Housing: 73%
Income above $200k: 2.3
Workforce/Education (2000 census)
White Collar: 63.1%
Blue Collar: 23.1%
Services: 13.9%
Bachelor's Degree: 28%
Graduate Education: 9.8%
Civilian Veterans: 75,670 The demographics of Wilson's district
PoorRoe, (is that subsidized fish eggs), yeah it's subsidized, you d@mn right it is. by my pay check from my business that I operate and pay taxes on. The "truth" I'm referring to is the the following quote from NS "Also, stop lying to yourself when you say Wilson's squeal caused anything to happen, other than the nation to laugh at South Carolina and people like you who agree with the idiot. You truly live under a rock".
As usual libs can't discuss the issue so they call names and attack those that disagree with the incompetent prezbho. In his speech, prezbho calls his opponents liars and says he will 'call out' those that disagree and lies about his healthcare plan. And the loyal libs are hysterical about a man telling the truth when he said 'you lie'.
Roe, the "truth" you refer to seems to be an unsubstantiated rant of a Dem myrmidon.(look it up) I guess you too feel truth is relative. Before Wilson's outburst, the amendment to disqualify illegals was excluded from all bills. Now, directly because of Wilson's outburst, the exclusion and enforcement of the exclusion is being addressed.
and convertedsoutherner sings his same song over and over and over and over, LOL OMG nutcases.
Wilson will lose, but the message will not be recieved as printed here. The message will be one of outside influences, non-district funding, or something else involving anything except ol' Wilson. In fact, he will be the main one condemning the outcome and claims of unfairness. Also, Wilson's military record is now suspect and his challenger is a honorable veteran.
"You Lie" -- Joe Wilson Outburst a Charade!
http://www.henrymakow.com/you_lie_--_games_new_world_ord.html
hey fruity... Please tell us what is false about my post. So who is the nutcase?
For the record Whippingboy, I did not need to look it up, I to am well read. Which is why I take every opportunity to refute the crap you and your minions (look it up) promulgate on a daily basis in this paper. Your "if you are not with me, you must be wrong" attitude is exactly what got you repubs in the s#!tter you are in now. The tide has turned (last Nov.) and you are about to get you a$$ carried out to sea. A drowning man (party) will grasp for anything to save him/themselves, hence the BS you spew everyday, trying to hold on.........
libs continue to ignore the fact that many conservatives voted for prezbho. Facts continue to comfuse libs. Do you really believe conservatives will be voting for dims in these next elections?
Well said Poor Fish Eggs, what is your point? "If I'm not with you then I'm wrong"? Spewing silly CNN platitudes has little to do with fact. I assume your misguided anger is aimed at the Repub party, I agree with you. I personally can't tell the difference between the Dems and the Repubs. Are you saying the ultra-left Marxism is what you stand for? If so, it's no wonder you find the facts I post offensive. Still, your string of insults does little to refute my point of Wilson's outburst having an effect.
whipping - LOL, yeah, I said President Obama can't do anything right. Are you related to sean hannity? He seems to quote statements with some important words missing just like you did. Case in point: "And he had a very different tone on Monday, but when he said tonight that insurance executives are bad people, it took me back because it was so harsh and I think unfair, but it's part of their polling." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,548901,00.html
Pres. Obama's actual statement: "Insurance executives don't do this because they're bad people; they do it because it's profitable. As one former insurance executive testified before Congress, insurance companies are not only encouraged to find reasons to drop the seriously ill, they are rewarded for it."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-to-a...
"The tide has turned (last Nov.) and you are about to get you a$$ carried out to sea." Poor Roe: The only problem with you Democrats is that you do not realize you are in the same boat that is being swept out to sea, and whether you realize it or not, Obama does not plan to save you from the sharks either.