One of the elements of last night’s speech that is getting a good deal of play in the Blogosphere (and on my Facebook feed, for that matter as well as in the MSM) is Representative Joe Wilson’s (R-SC) outburst of “lie!” last night.
Was it a rude breach of congressional protocol? Sure. Was it unprecedented? Well, no. (see, for example, here) And, not surprisingly, Wilson has apologized.
Also not surprisingly, some opponents of the president see this as some moment of great heroism (see, for example, Erick Erickson–indeed, via Facebook Erickson is asking for contributions to Wilson’s campaign), others see it as a great affront.
It strikes me (both the event and the reaction to it in some quarters) as a combination of much ado about nothing and emblematic of the current state of the debate in American politics at the moment.
My favorite headline on this story comes from Joshua Tucker at The Monkey Cage: Channeling Your Inner Brit (the post also has video of the incident).
Joshua also asks the right questions:
Is this sort of thing unique in recent years? When was the last time someone essentially yelled at the president during an address to Congress? How about historically – did this sort of thing go on more often earlier in our nation’s history?
Update: In terms of the Brit ref, see also Matthew Yglesias and Alex Knapp.
September 10th, 2024 at 9:40 am
If I was going to yell that the president was a liar, I’d at least wait until something came up that was under dispute. To me it was not only about the heckling, but when it came. It is completely ridiculous that he would choose the illegal immigrant line to do this for, as there is no way for them to be covered under the plan!
September 10th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
[...] of the commonfolk–which perhaps builds up the pressure that leads to said delegates (”Transcendent Hero/Dastardly Villain,” as Steven Taylor puts it) from time to time being unable to exercise dignified [...]
September 10th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
I think it’s great that someone in Washington has risked their political career to call a spade a spade. (No racial reference intended.) I think I’ll go contribute some money to his campaign, even though his state if far from me. Maybe we’ve found the Republican with enough guts and courage to put into the next presidential election!
September 10th, 2024 at 1:40 pm
So is this the new trend in politics? That grace and etiquette are not even welcomed in the halls of Congress? This was not gutsy, it was crude, disrespectful and frankly ignorant. But then, the base (and I use that term as an adjective and a noun)will just make a hero out of Wilson. Move over, Joe the Plumber, now there’s Joe the Politician.
September 10th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Hurrah Joe Wilson! I am pleased and proud that someone had the guts to speak out against the lies that have been fed to the American people over the past nine months. I have donated to Rep. Wilson’s re-election campaign, and I encourage everyone else to do the same.
September 10th, 2024 at 4:53 pm
Brilliant, clear and very remarkable speech by President Obama about healthcare reform. As Americans we spend ten times more than any other country on our heatlhcare, and yet have the biggest problems with lack of insurance coverage, claims being rejected by insurance companies for bogus reasons, insurance companies with their own “death committees” deciding what will be covered or not covered, etc. We definitely need the public option as well to set a standard for all other insurance coverage, and create more competition with the private plans. It is hard to imagine Joe Wilson’s outburst, but he seems to represent the lunatic fringe that doesn’t understand the problems and their solutions we now have to deal with in our dilapidated healthcare system. Joe Wilson, and those who support him are an embarrassment to our political process.
September 10th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
My hat goes off to Joe Wilson even though the man has terrible timing he is right on the money about the lies that have been propagated by this administration not to include the lies that were so obvious during the campaign leading to it.It’s a shame that the those we have elected to represent the people of this country lack the fortitude to speak out on our behalf. I learned at a very young age that”When a kettle is black you call it black” with no pun intended.You go!! Joe
September 10th, 2024 at 7:33 pm
I’m not sure if I understand why all of the posters seem to think that there actually is a provision to pay for healthcare of undocumented workers in the bill. Could someone please enlighten me?
September 10th, 2024 at 8:17 pm
I think Joe Wilson is disgusting and you be thrown out of this country. Do you know what happen in another country if they called their lead a lier. Their head would come off.
I think that Stanfor is not half as bad a Joe Wilson. THROW HIM OUT OF THIS CONTRY!!!
September 10th, 2024 at 8:20 pm
[...] aforementioned outburst by Representative Joe Wilson was in response to President Obama’s assertion that the health care reform plan was not going to [...]
September 10th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
If you do not like PRESIDENT Obama, LEAVE THE COUNTRY!!!! THE REPUBLICAN LIE THEIR TEETH OFF. FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH WAS THE WORSE IN THIS COUNTRIES HISTORY. HE HAD THE THREAT LEVEL RAISED TO SCARE PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR BUSH. WHAT A****H*******
September 10th, 2024 at 8:25 pm
Brett:
You are on point. Those who want the answer, see here.
September 11th, 2024 at 10:07 pm
BRETT:
There are at least SEVERAL LOOPHOLES in Obama’s crappy plan that allow Illegals access to Health Care. And FYI the 8 MILLION ILLEGALS that are IN the USA now have access to HealthCare ALREADY, along with Education and Welfare. Taxpayers such as yourself PAY FOR IT! WAKE UP AMERICANS!