Joe Wilson “You Lie”
Joe Wilson shouting “You Lie!” At Obama
Joe Wilson, a Republican Congressman apologizes for shouting “You Lie!” at President Obama. Fresh from a month of acrimonious town halls, Joe Wilson, a House Republicans arrived for President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night with props, signs and a lot of attitude.
But the one congressman went way too far, at least. Joe Wilson shouted “You lie!” after Obama denied that his health care proposal would cover illegal immigrants.
Sure, all eyes then turned in the South Carolina Republican’s direction, including Obama’s, Vice President Joe Biden’s and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s.
Looking agitated, Joe Wilson leaned forward and began tapping away at his BlackBerry, as if he were Googling up proof that the president had, in fact, lied.
Someone from the Democratic side shouted “Shame on you!”. Then someone else shouted “Throw him out!”. Seated behind and above Wilson, First Lady Michelle Obama seemed to mouth a drawn-out “damn” at the scene unfolding before her.
At last, Wilson issued an apology, not long after the speech ended. “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.
Though it was the most extreme, Wilson’s wasn’t the only disruption. Throughout the speech, Republican members of Congress repeatedly held up stacks of papers that appeared to represent ideas they had for the bill.
In his speech, President Obama 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.
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