Joe Wilson Talks To Reporters About Outburst (VIDEO)

President Barack Obama accepted a South Carolina Republican's apology for shouting, "You lie!" during his speech to Congress, and House Democratic leaders showed no interest in sanctions against Rep. Joe Wilson.

Obama said Thursday that Wilson apologized "quickly and without equivocation" and the congressman told reporters the shout-out was "spontaneous."

"We all make mistakes," Obama told reporters, a day after Wilson stunned the president and his colleagues with his outburst.

Infuriated Democrats briefly considered sanctioning the four-term congressman, but decided early Thursday that doing so might distract lawmakers from getting an agreement to overhaul health insurance.

"It's time for us to talk about health care, not Mr. Wilson," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Though stunned and visibly angry over the interruption, Pelosi said she opted not to gavel down Wilson on the spot. Obama, she said, was right to pitch right back into his speech and not "give it any more attention than it deserved."

"It was spontaneous," Wilson said Thursday. "It was when he (Obama) stated, as he did, about not (health care insurance) not covering illegal aliens ... We need to discuss the issues and I'm happy to do that."

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Wilson told reporters he called the White House at the urging of senior Republicans and was grateful to have talked with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Wilson said he agreed with the White House' interest in pursuing "a civil conversation" on health care.

The reaction to Wilson's outburst, nevertheless, was punishing -- even without the specter of official House action.

His Web site crashed, he took a beating on Twitter as Republicans and Democrats alike condemned his behavior.

Wilson bolted the chamber as soon as Obama was finished speaking. Shortly thereafter, he issued an apology and called the White House to deliver one to the president personally. But he ended up on the line with Rahm Emanuel, Obama's fiery chief of staff, instead.

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me," he said in a statement. "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."

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Comments

[pakaal]

Joe Wilson, huh? Let's see....

"That's offensive to me that they would take my heritage and make it into a Holocaust era type description." - South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson, back in November 1999, when he was still a state senator, regarding African Americans being upset that the Confederate flag was being flown over the statehouse.

"[W]e have a dictator, Saddam Hussein, who has chemical and biological weapons, who is developing nuclear capabilities." - Wilson, now a U.S. Congressman, on CNN, September 28, 2002.

"With the death of Strom Thurmond, South Carolina has lost its greatest statesman of the 20th Century." - Wilson on June 27, 2003.

[msjimmied]

Guess the emotions that got the better of him, it isn't about health care.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-09-11/joe-wilsons-rebel-yell/?cid=hp:mainpromo6

[tantrictim]

http://tiny.cc/mlu6B

The controversial congressman has been a member of Sons of Confederate Veterans. Max Blumenthal, author of the just-published Republican Gomorrah, asks: Did he remain so even after it became a hate group?

[OlHippie]

The Holy Bible, New Revised Republican Version:

Mark 1:29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, and after checking her citizenship status, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and proper identification.

[johnrandall]

Beautifully done.

[tiztim]

His diction reminds me of W's: He doesn't seem able to handle speaking a complex sentence.

[factotem]

Hey Joe Wilson, meet me at the unemployment line!!
...where you belong!

[ilse]

Joe, instead of an apology, do the right thing and admit that you lied. That should fix this whole mess you're in.

[mainemomma]

To do that , would mean he would read, think and comprehend vs. react like a single celled organisim.

[nonofyabusiness]

Criticle thinking was not part of his curriculum as a child (not that he acts as if he's grown up much. lol...)

[Lee Andrew]

http://www.actblue.com/page/huffpostposse

Join the HuffPosse and defeat YOU LIE Wilson.

[nonofyabusiness]

Say it in the Neo-conned language, "EWE LYE"

[nonofyabusiness]

;-)

[naeldwyck]

"We need to discuss the issues and I'm happy to do that."

Calling someone a liar is always a great way to start an honest discussion of the issues.

[dee544]

Joe has the "right to remain stupid"! Bless his heart.

[GhostNyc]

Here are two words for Joe...

YOU'RE WRONG!

[Rmath]

What are "cahunas"? Oh, you mean cojones, don't you? Another Republican who can't spell..

If a Democrat had pulled what Wilson did during a Bush speech, you would have heard righties screaming from coast to coast. You'd see American Flag lapel pins the size of your head popping up on the bosoms of Republicans everywhere. You'd be hearing "God Bless America" and "Love it or Leave it" shouted at the tops of their lungs. They'd be demanding impeachment and worse if a Democratic member of Congress dared to heckle Bushie.

[AirViceMarshalPark]

One Million to Miller now within reach!

Actblue shows over $654,000 raised so far. Wilson is toast unless the health insurers come up with some really big bucks.

Which they will do; keep it coming. Nothing scares the GOP more than millions flowing in to a Democrat's coffers in very small contributions

[carlosgriffin]

Wilsons district is super uber conservative. He's a hero to his constituents so I don't think Millers money will work.

[TrueIndy08]

uber conservative is just another way of saying RACIST

[mlaiuppa]

Miller is a war vet. Wilson is just a retired National guardsman.

[phatHawaiian]

Great American? No.

[AirViceMarshalPark]

I suspect that the Congressional GOPs will just start having a big f++t contest during Presidential speeches.

The vid will be fun to watch; everybody pulling everybody else's finger.

It would fit with GOP notions of decorum.