Joe Wilson Apologizes For Shouting "You Lie!" At Obama

Fresh from a month of acrimonious town halls, House Republicans arrived for President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night with signs, props, and a lot of attitude.

But at least one congressman went way too far. Rep. Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" after Obama denied that his health care proposal would cover illegal immigrants.

All eyes turned in the South Carolina Republican's direction -- including Obama's, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's and Vice President Joe Biden's.

Wilson, looking agitated, leaned forward and began tapping away at his BlackBerry, as if he were Googling up proof that the president had, in fact, lied.

"Shame on you!" shouted someone from the Democratic side. "Throw him out!" shouted someone else. First Lady Michelle Obama, seated behind and above Wilson, seemed to mouth a drawn-out "damn" at the scene unfolding before her.

Not long after the speech ended, Wilson issued an apology. "This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," he 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 also called the White House to apologize.

Wilson's wasn't the only disruption, though it was the most extreme. Throughout the speech, Republican members of Congress repeatedly held up stacks of papers that appeared to represent ideas they had for the bill.

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) held signs that read "What Bill?" and "What Plan?"

When Obama told the chamber that the "death panel" lie was, in fact, a lie, a Republican member said loudly enough to be heard in the press gallery, "Read the bill" -- a common refrain at August's angry town hall meetings.

When Obama told the chamber that he had "no interest in putting insurance companies out of business," a Republican member responded with a loud, "Ha!"

"Nineteen years, never, never have I seen anything like this," said a furious Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) after the speech.

"I thought it was very inappropriate behavior, to hold up signs. None of us ever would have done that," said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). "I don't think in the Congress of the United States there ought to be catcalls, or people standing up and yelling comments or holding up signs."

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the longest serving member in House history, said he was not impressed by the GOP antics. "Well, you've got to understand: They're Republicans. They're just doing what comes natural," he told HuffPost.

Obama, in his speech, referenced Dingell's father for first introducing universal health care legislation in 1943. Dingell has introduced such a bill every year he's been in Congress and today's House bill bears his name.

"I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last," Obama said of the long history of failed efforts. It struck a chord with Dingell. "The best speech I've ever heard on the floor of the House," he said.

Comments

[JLarocque]

06:26 PM on 09/16/2009

Nobody has connected the delivery of boxes of petitions by an ambulance and then on a gurney to Republican lawmakers prior to the President's speech. The documents the lawmakers held and shook were from the National Center for Policy Analysis

From the AP: A few hours before the president’s speech on Wednesday, activists will present lawmakers with stacks of petitions opposing “government-run health care.” The event is sponsored by the conservative National Center for Policy Analysis and Salem Radio Network.

[redeemed64]

02:12 PM on 09/16/2009

Joe Wilson should never apologize to anyone for telling the truth.

[jim78880]

02:59 PM on 09/14/2009

An apology under dress from his party leaders should not (and does not in my book) count as an apology.

[DuckyMobius]

11:10 AM on 09/15/2009

Until they are interpreted within their proper context, sound bites are completely meaningless.

When Joe Wilson recently shouted "July!" at the President, not only should the falsity of his pronouncement have been immediately obvious, but also the fact that Joe is so confused that he doesn't even know in which month we're living. Face the present, Joe! Stop dwelling on the past! :-)

[DuckyMobius]

11:38 AM on 09/15/2009

"July" certainly commemorates the first Caesar or Czar. I think that's what Joe Wilson was paranoid about. :-)

[solidtartan]

05:05 PM on 09/13/2009

This is all so insane. Watching a bunch of children argue about decorum. How about fixing health care, unemployment, Afghanistan, and on and on...ENOUGH already

[aweissnet]

08:40 PM on 09/13/2009

Why aren't they motivated to actually do it, rather than argue like children?

Because THEY are employed, they will eat, they are protected, they have health care. Basically, they could give 2 chits about the rest of us. And WE put them in office.

[carlosgriffin]

09:32 PM on 09/13/2009

Were you at the march today in DC?

[dlandau]

04:22 AM on 09/13/2009

During his speech the President said he would not tolerate those who “… misrepresent the plan… " and If someone did, the President said, we will 'call you out.' But then what? When an ignorant congressman, in an unprecedented breech of manners, shouts out "you lie,” what do the President and the White House team do? They politely accept Wilson's empty, forced apology which is offered only for his rudeness, not his inaccuracy. And then Wilson turns around and uses the incident as a rallying cry to raise campaign funds. Is this the President's idea of calling someone out?

Perhaps the White House thinking is that making too big a deal out of this might be a distraction. Well that may be, but if you watch TV, listen to the radio, read newspapers or go online you may have noticed that it already is a distraction. In fact it was nearly the lead story. I'm not saying the President personally has to say something, but pointedly using this guy as a perfect example of what's been wrong with the health care debate - the lies, distortions and fear mongering, seems like a good idea to me.

Instead we get tepid acceptance of a phony apology, conservative democratic senators scrambling to alter the language of the bill to appease Wilson, and trial balloons indicating the White House's eagerness to ditch the public option.

Personally I support the President's health care plan but my question is, does he?

David Landau

[aweissnet]

08:42 PM on 09/13/2009

I think the guy should be put out. 0 tolerance. Won't happen again.

[carlosgriffin]

09:32 PM on 09/13/2009

Were you at the march today in DC?

[heretocomment]

11:21 PM on 09/12/2009

Bad manners. But this reminds me of something. Oh yeah-- when the democrats booed Bush during his State of the Union address in 2005.

[neurologymatters]

08:48 PM on 09/12/2009

Why didn't the authorities remove Wilson and send him for a psych evaluation?

[satanlite]

11:18 PM on 09/12/2009

Or just taze the racist f/kr

[Isosoles]

08:33 PM on 09/13/2009

Yes you have language that says illegal immigrants will not be a part of this program, unless you have the enforcement mechanism in place, it doesn't mean much," Pawlenty said. "In Minnesota, we have laws that say illegal immigrants won't get many services, but unless somebody actually checks -- guess what -- they show up and they get the services." Reality as opposed to emotions., libs can only do the latter. Get real libs, Joe was correct. I know you don't like it but that doesn't change anything.

[carlosgriffin]

09:29 PM on 09/13/2009

The prez knows that Constitutionally (well, he should know since that's what he studied in law school) illegals will get healthcare if any bill passes. And, most of them will eventually be eligible for free care.

That's why Joe Wilson was so mad and called out the prez.

[portwdpup224]

06:46 PM on 09/12/2009

Has Charlie Rangel apologized yet for not paying his taxes for 17 years? Has he, as a tax cheat resigned his chairmanship? I want Charlies accountant and Dodds banker.

[Franksa]

10:07 PM on 09/12/2009

Is that all you got; contrasting negatives? "He did it first!" No ideas for solving the health care problem except to lie and let them die. The Republican Party claims to be the party of idea. This health care battle shows how false that is.

Remember the last great idea the Republicans had. It was to privatize Social Security in 2005 with Bush 1% electoral margin mandate. How would have worked out consider that way Wall Street tanked in Bush’s last year in office?

Your arguments are so juvenile, just like the Not So Honorable Representative from South Carolina's outburst. Since you don't have the facts on your side you feel free to fabricate new ones.

[carlosgriffin]

09:33 PM on 09/13/2009

Were you at the march today in DC?

[DollyDagger]

04:31 PM on 09/12/2009

Look at the photo of when the "you lie" was shouted. The guys on either side are not surprized in the least, in fact they look like they were expecting it. I think this was planned in advance to stir up the those health care protestors. Like chess: sacrifice a Bishop to capture your opponents Queen. Does anyone see how mixed up this all is? When we have people protesting, shouting and fighting against money being spent in the US on Healthcare, but no one is complaining about all the lives and money being lost and spent for Wars that are not even in the news anymore. One would easily pay for the other.
[ Report Abuse ]

[AmbroseSantiago]

08:25 PM on 09/12/2009

I like this photo of Congressman Joe Wilson better.

http://www.motivatedphotos.com/?id=37391

[aweissnet]

08:45 PM on 09/13/2009

It's a dog and pony show, isn't it?

The final irony is that in this supposed democracy, we have absolutely no say. All we do is watch TV and the news to see our fates decided for us.

Do we think we are free?

[MighteeAphrodite]

03:05 PM on 09/12/2009

Censure the Wilson pimple.

[ReedYoung]

01:38 PM on 09/12/2009

quote:
"Nineteen years, never, never have I seen anything like this," said a furious Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) after the speech.

"I thought it was very inappropriate behavior, to hold up signs. None of us ever would have done that," said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). "I don't think in the Congress of the United States there ought to be catcalls, or people standing up and yelling comments or holding up signs."
/quote

Censure is available in both chambers of Congress, isn't it? Ostracize both Wilson and Gohmert, and remove ALL spending for their districts from every bill, except health care and climate change. If they bring home ANY pork for their voters, it must be on those Liberal issues. Absolutely no other federal aid to the dimwits who elected those ill-bred fools.

[ReedYoung]

01:30 PM on 09/12/2009

Not nearly good enough, Wilson. Admit that you lied, and resign.

[readytoleavenow]

11:49 AM on 09/12/2009

His unsincere apology means nothing. The truth is becoming very obvious: Obama has more dignity, integrity and class than the entire Rpublican party.

[Veratruth]

01:25 PM on 09/12/2009

WOW!!! What more could we say. I hope your comment reaches 7,505 dignified, classy people.

[Quaere verum]

02:36 AM on 09/13/2009

Insincere apology..!! But whatever ..!! If President Obama is half the man that I think that he is, then he will have the class to accept Joe Wilson's apology and let GOD decide how to handle the rest. I wish we could just get on with the Collective business of this country and stop all of this ridiculous non-sence. All of this J.Springer-esque drama and distraction is truly making me ILL..!!

[aweissnet]

08:51 PM on 09/13/2009

I'd think the US better stop waiting for God to help us out, or make decisions that matter.

[swellgal]

11:40 AM on 09/12/2009

When I was growing up my father hated Richard Nixon and his policies. But despite his feelings for him, my father also hated the fact that Mike Wallace (I think it was Mike Wallace) refused to call Nixon either Mr. President or President Nixon and instead would say "Mr. Nixon." My father said that no matter what we thought of him, the man was the President of the United States and deserved to be addressed and treated with the respect that the office held. I thought of my father when I heard Rep. Wilson yell during Pres. Obama's speech. If he is unable to control himself, or show respect for the President of the United States perhaps he should find another career --- maybe as a commentator on a certain network.

[MrJoyboy]

11:39 AM on 09/12/2009

You call that an apology? It was more like "Mom said I should apologize so I'm apologizing."