AIKEN --- Joe Wilson said he plans to talk about a number of things when he shows up Saturday for a rally in Aiken, but one of them won't be his now famous outburst.
"I have been clear that it is time to move forward and debate the issues that matter to the American people," he wrote in an e-mail response. "South Carolinians understand we need health insurance reform that is targeted but not a government takeover."
Mr. Wilson's "You lie" outburst at President Obama during the president's health care address to Congress has garnered international attention -- some in support and some in scorn. His retort came after the president stated that his health care plan would not cover illegal immigrants.
Since the incident, Mr. Wilson's Democratic opponent Rob Miller, has received a flood of donations. The congressman has also received a great deal of financial support since the incident. Donations to his campaign have exceeded more than $2 million, according to Mr. Wilson's campaign Web site.
"The support has been positive, and I look forward to speaking and listening to my constituents," the congressman said of Saturday's rally.
Dennis Saylor, chairman of the Aiken County Republican Party, said he wasn't totally surprised that Mr. Wilson accepted the invitation to come to Aiken.
"He's always very accommodating," Mr. Saylor said. "I was hoping he would come."
Eastern and southern parts of Aiken County are included in Mr. Wilson's 2nd Congressional district. The rally to raise funds for Mr. Wilson's 2010 re-election campaign and informal town hall meeting will begin at noon at the party's headquarters, which is outside the congressman's district.
Mr. Saylor said several people have approached him wanting to support the congressman after his outburst.
Their sentiment reflected the feelings of several citizens, said David Lobb, vice chairman of the local party.
"(Mr. Wilson) didn't do it the right way, but he did say what we were thinking," Mr. Lobb said. "We had so many people that thought there was a lot of politics going, so they wanted to support him."
John Brecht, chairman of the Aiken County Democratic Party, said he doubts that the "issues" will be discussed Saturday. Mr. Brecht said he does not plan to attend the meeting.
"I think it's more in celebration of his outburst than accomplishing more for the citizens," he said. "The Republicans have not provided any substantive solutions. They seem to be obstructing anything by the Democrats or Barack Obama."
Mr. Lobb said he expects the rally will draw people who are not supporters of Mr. Wilson.
"There might be demonstrators that will show up, but I hope they'll be respectful," Mr. Lobb said. "We just want to have a forum for the little people to donate to the candidate they believe in."
Reach Stephanie Toone at (803) 648-1395 ext. 110 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
IF YOU GO
What: The Show Your Support for Joe Wilson rally
WHEN: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Aiken County Republican Party headquarters, 127 Greenville St.
ABOUT THE RALLY: There will be free hot dogs and bottled water. All donations will go to Congressman Wilson's re-election campaign.
MORE ON JOE WILSON
Read a timeline since Mr. Wilson's outburst at the president/2B [CAPTION]
WILSON OUTBURST TIMELINE
Sept. 9: During President Obama's speech on health care, Rep. Joe Wilson shouts out "You Lie!" Later that night, Mr. Wilson calls the White House offering an apology, which the president accepts.
Sept. 13: Mr. Wilson refuses to apologize on the floor of the House of Representatives for his outburst.
SEPT. 15: The House passes a resolution of disapproval against Mr. Wilson, the vote passing 240-179, with 12 Democrats and 167 Republicans voting no.
SEPT. 15: During an interview, President Jimmy Carter says Mr. Wilson's outburst was "based on racism."
SEPT. 16: Mr. Wilson's son, Alan Wilson, refutes Mr. Carter's statements.
SEPT. 18: President Obama tells CNN Mr. Wilson's statements were not rooted in racism.
Source: Associated Press, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
if you support Joe Wilson, you support big industry insurance, big boss hog style nepotistic government, unethical actions, lawyers insterest above citizens interest, and above all his personal gain above the taxpayer gain. go ahead you blind dummies, support this self serving politician get elected.
If you support Joe Wilson, you support calling a spade a spade. The representative, in an uncouth moment, spoke the truth to our current president. Since the incident, he's been proven right time after time. The national and international support he's received says it all. (Putin, Chavez, Castro, and Ahmadinejad still support Obama and Bin Laden recommends his book)
What is this? Tea Party III? Post, did you come up with that all by yourself?
Poetic- you need to recheck your facts. You talk like a person who has or is on the DSS payroll. Do you ever think for yourself? The name of the game is politics.
Poetic: Talk about a 180 degree spin on facts. You just passed a big brown one.
I wouldn't vote for him NUT.
If you want to support an ineffectual clown, what's wrong with Broun?
"whippingpost" - i agree but he was "proved right' before the incident by obama's own actions
"fruit" - the "NUT" is in acorn - b/c people don't vote for integrity and character our country is in the mess it is in - you have nothing on joe willson
WhitlessPost, why can't you call a spade a spade about yourself? Too weak of character, perhaps?
"character" shows in what you do when no one else is looking - then again, when all people want to do is spend time finger pointing instead of really trying to make a difference where it counts...a big part of the reason our country is where it is today
Watch out Paul Broun is getting jealous. He wants the title of top clown from the south. He will do something crazy real soon. It is like the battle Michelle Bachmann and S Palin have on who can be the craziest repub woman.
Watch out Paul Broun is getting jealous. He wants the title of top clown from the south. He will do something crazy real soon. It is like the battle Michelle Bachmann and S Palin have on who can be the craziest repub woman.
Why are libs so concerned with the GOP candidates and politicos? They have prezbho, his crooked admin, his 30 czars, his lobbyists (won't have any), his union buddies and, of course, ACORN among others and don't seem to be concerned with any of the people prezbho surrounds himself with. And they are concerned about the GOP. This gives a true picture of the libs and just who they really are. If you're not concerned -- You're not paying attention...
That won't be hard for Plantation Joe in the CSRA. The place is crawling with stupid fearful GOP'ers. Any political wacko would find support in this hotbed of intelligence.
LOL...it's gonna be a hoot !!!..doncha love politics!..All the libs running around wailing and gnashing their teeth and pulling out their hair...the repubs stoic and unforgiving but really not any better...we NEED a third party folks !!!!!!
We need civil and thought provoking discourse. We need to get rid of the anonymous Internet bigots, and the just plain stupid talk show people who should not be making the big money for what impediments they provide to society.
Looks like Ohio needs help from our resident angry Ohio poster, niky, because they aren't doing so well and he still just can't resist attacking the people of this area.
convertedsoutherner = every conservative/republican talking point OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER... still waiting for the next one to see if he will add it to his already TIRED untruthful list. LOL
niky... You make it obvious that you are for the 'un-fairness doctrine'. Yes, let's shut down anyone that looks up the information and disagrees. Let's be sure to silence any of those that disagree with the incompetent prezbho. How about we put a stop to those that call anyone racist, bigot, haters, etc that disagrees with prezbho?
fruit... So please tell us what is false about what I have posted. I have asked you several times before and you've never come up with an answer.
fruitpa, you never offer any support for your accusations. Why is that?
You can certainly disagree with the President of the United States, Barack Obama; but I'm not gonna call you a racist. I might call you afraid or scared or not willing to cope. I have been called unpatriotic because I criticized W, which by the way was not really difficult to do, but the name calling did not bother me because I knew that the people doing it were scared then, scared that they were going to be out of power in 2006 and 2008. And being scared and angry and name calling will not get you back in power either. That's from experience. BOO! You're scared and next month is Halloween.
niky... Glad you continue to post your ramblings and rhetoric with no substance. It's good to see that those from Ohio have nothing to offer but the same old immature posts with no facts or substance.
If someone yells "You Lie" in a room full of Politicians, how can you be sure he meant Obama? LOL
It's a shame that, in today's society, people rally behind those who show a lack of civility or respect for The President of the United States, especially in the halls of Congress. People who support this kind of behavior are only encouraging more of this type of behavior. Yelling "You lie" at the POTUS garners 2 million? What a sad commentary on today's society. We should strive for better no matter what your political convictions.
Yeah....sorta like the support the Democrats received when they booed and hissed at George Bush during his state of the union address.....a real shame indeed, grouse.
I wouldn't vote for him NUT.
Posted by jackfruitpaper833 on Fri Sep 25, 2009 6:55 AM....W realize you wouldn't vote for anyone white.
Watch out Paul Broun is getting jealous. He wants the title of top clown from the south. He will do something crazy real soon. It is like the battle Michelle Bachmann and S Palin have on who can be the craziest repub woman.
Posted by concernednative on Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:08 AM....Evidently, being crazy draws crowds (not to mention donations)).
I criticized W, which by the way was not really difficult to do, but the name calling did not bother me because I knew that the people doing it were scared then, scared that they were going to be out of power in 2006 and 2008. And being scared and angry and name calling will not get you back in power either. That's from experience. BOO! You're scared and next month is Halloween.
Posted by Niko Mahs on Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:36 AM....Must be the reason you libs are doing the same because you are scared that the DIMs will get their arses kicked in 2010 and lose their power and BimbObama the same in 2012.