House Democrats to Wilson: Apologize or Face Censure
Democrats had threatened to censure Rep. Joe Wilson unless he apologized on the House floor for accusing President Obama of lying during his address to a joint session of Congress. Wilson refused to do so.
Sept. 9: Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina is seen shouting "you lie!" at President Obama during his speech to Congress in Washington. (AFP)
On the House floor where President Obama spoke just a half-day earlier, two words shouted by a Republican congressman reverberated louder than the finer points of the health care debate.
Wilson called the White House shortly after Obama's speech to say he was out of line. The White House said early Thursday that the president accepted the apology.
But that did not put the issue to rest, and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, also of South Carolina, asked Wilson to apologize on the House floor in front of his colleagues. The final vote of the day was held open by Democrats to give him an opportunity to do so, but he refused.
Democrats threatened to censure Wilson absent such an apology. So far they have not done it -- but even though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier that a censure was not being considered, her top deputies kept it in the mix.
House leaders debated future disciplinary steps against Wilson at a weekly closed-door strategy session in Pelosi's office Thursday.
"I want Mr. Wilson to come to the floor of the House and apologize," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. He indicated that House leaders did not reach a conclusion on sanctioning Wilson.
"We need to figure out what to do," said one senior member of the leadership team. Another high-level House source suggested that lawmakers didn't want to let Wilson's transgression go unpunished "because of the magnitude" of the accusation directed at Obama.
In strictly political terms, Wilson's outburst appeared to be a winner for Democrats.
According to one Democratic source, Wilson's Democratic opponent Rob Miller had by mid-day Thursday received 5,000 new contributions worth about $200,000 in the aftermath of the outburst. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was also trying to raise money off the heckling. Miller lost to Wilson in the 2008 election, 54-46 percent
Wilson's House Web site crashed after he was identified Wednesday night as the heckler and he took a beating on his Twitter page for breaching protocol. House rules expressly prohibit lawmakers from calling the president a "liar" or accusing him of "lying."
But Wilson has tried to put the genie back in the bottle after he drew immediate, widespread and bipartisan criticism Wednesday. Shortly after the speech ended, Wilson issued a written apology and spoke with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to say he was sorry.
Obama on Thursday extended his forgiveness.
"I'm a big believer that we all make mistakes. He apologized quickly and without equivocation, and I'm appreciative of that," Obama told reporters.
In the face of persistent criticism, Republicans started to come to Wilson's defense.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told FOX News that Wilson should not be judged on those two words.
"He corrected his mistake. His mouth spoke before his mind," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., chief deputy whip.
Wilson's outburst immediately followed Obama's statement: "There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally."
House Minority Leader John Boehner said Thursday that, according to a Congressional Research Service report, illegal immigrants would indeed be covered, defending Wilson's assertion even though he called the manner in which he delivered it "inappropriate."
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs insisted Thursday that illegal immigrants would be prohibited from buying into a health insurance exchange created by the federal government.
Wilson said Thursday he wants to have a "civil discussion" on health care, calling his comments "spontaneous."
Democrats are walking a fine line in deciding whether to pursue a censure. While some Democrats want to punish Wilson, others are worried the action could distract from the health care reform effort.
Obama hinted at that view when asked about Wilson Thursday.
"I do think that, as I said last night, we have to get to the point where we can have a conversation about big, important issues that matter to the American people, without vitriol, without name-calling," he said. "The media can always be helpful by not giving all the attention to the loudest or shrillest voices and try to stay a little bit more focused on the issues at hand."
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What a kind of a idiot interrupts the President of the Unites States of America in one of America's previously dignified and prestigious government buildings as he attempts to address all of America's citizens?
Where previous presidents vowed victory over tyranny, abolished slavery, planned for recovery from national adversity for the last 200 years...who would deface one of our most revered and honorable offices and hallowed halls?
Republican representative Joe Wilson from South Carolina... that's who.
The U.S government is trying to address it's citizens with status on proposed legislation concerning virtually every American except the independently wealthy and you call the president of the United States a liar?
If Mr. Wilson is so lacking in control of his oral orifice he couldn't keep it from barking out loud is he really fit to govern?
To represent his constituents?
Is this the new face of the republican party?
Will our previously formal and respectful meetings of our elected officials now turn into the shouting matches and fist fights seen in other countries governing bodies?
It doesn't really matter if they censure Joe Wilson or not, the damage to our shared national self respect and any iota of bi-partisan respect is irreparably and irrecoverably damaged.
If you don't respect the man or his political ideology, then respect the office of president like our governing officials have for the last 200 plus years.
Your childish behavior, lack of decorum have left Americans disgusted and ashamed.
Thank Joe for lowering the level of respect Americans used to have for their elected officials.
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