Wilson puts GOP colleagues in a bind
House Democratic leaders plan to vote early next week on whether to formally admonish Rep. Joe Wilson unless the South Carolina Republican apologizes on the House floor for interrupting President Obama’s address to Congress by yelling “You lie!”
Wilson apologized to the White House shortly after Obama’s speech, and the president accepted his apology Thursday. But the Republican lawmaker turned a deaf ear to a request from his party’s leaders to apologize directly to House colleagues.
Absent such a apology, Democratic leaders will move forward with a resolution of disapproval or reprimand against Wilson’s behavior, senior Democratic aides said Friday.
Personally, I think the Democrats should drop it and move on to more important things. That was Speaker Pelosi’s initial impulse, but something or someone has apparently convinced her to change her mind.
It does put the House Republican Caucus in a bit of a pickle. Do they vote to reprimand their colleague and thus seem to side with Obama, or do they vote against reprimand and thus seem to endorse Wilson’s crass outburst, confirming Democratic efforts to depict them as uncivil?
The congressman could have avoided all this and “taken one for the team,” so to speak, by following his leadership’s advice and apologizing to the House. But he didn’t.
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142 comments Add your comment
Normal
September 11th, 2009
3:13 pm
The congressman could have avoided all this and “taken one for the team,” so to speak, by following his leadership’s advice and apologizing to the House. But he didn’t.
Danged cowardly, if you ask me…
Paul
September 11th, 2009
3:16 pm
[[It does put the House Republican Caucus in a bit of a pickle. Do they vote to reprimand their colleague and thus seem to side with Obama, or do they vote against reprimand and thus seem to endorse Wilson’s crass outburst]]
Maybe the Republicans could practice abstinence and abstain?
professional skeptic
September 11th, 2009
3:16 pm
And Wilson’s 2010 opponent Rob Miller now has $795,000 in contributions… and counting! God bless America…
Folks, we’re witnessing true democracy in action, one dollar at a time!
http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19079
mike
September 11th, 2009
3:16 pm
LOL. Is Wilson putting his GOP colleagues in a bind any more than Charlie Rangel’s tax cheating discomforts Democrats?
How can Jay possibly make a bigger deal out of an stupid comment from an unknown Congressman than he does the illegal activities of a Democrat stalwart for decades? Hmmm. Let me guess.
mike
September 11th, 2009
3:18 pm
Any of Wilson’s critics got anything to say about Rangel? Is Pelosi “cowardly” for not taking this criminals’s chair?
Just admit that you care far less about the behavior of Congressmen than you do attacking people who don’t share your ideology.
Paul
September 11th, 2009
3:23 pm
Mike
How much coverage have you seen on Rangel’s single incidents as opposed to Wilson’s incident?
Spkr Pelosi’s covering for Rangel. Not Wilson.
Hey Bosch!
Did I ever menion… Rangel’s a crook?
Shawny
September 11th, 2009
3:24 pm
Vote to reprimand for yelling out the truth, that wasn’t obscene?!?
I don’t condone his behavior and think his outburst was unacceptable. But he owed the president something and he gave it to him. He doesn’t owe house democrats squat. Any move to ’spank’ the SC rep is purely political and does not represent anything constructive. Do they have important business to attend to, or shall house dems continue to play these stupid games?
Shawny
September 11th, 2009
3:25 pm
Rangel, if he were a republican, would be in jail, and we all know it.
Normal
September 11th, 2009
3:28 pm
ike, just an observation, but you’re being angry again…
Instead of saying: “Just admit that you care far less about the behavior of Congressmen than you do attacking people who don’t share your ideology.”
Yoy could have said: “Are you sure you are not more concerned about ideology than a senators behavior?” See? Sweet, simple, less angry sounding and now people won’t be put off of your remarks because of what they perceive as bad attitude.
Normal
September 11th, 2009
3:30 pm
Paul: “Did I ever menion… Rangel’s a crook?”
You’ll get no argument from me…
mike
September 11th, 2009
3:31 pm
Shawny –
If he was a Republican, at least it would be covered in the news.
Maybe if Jay is out there,he can explain why he, along with the rest of the liberal media, refuse to discuss Rangel. For all of Jay’s whining about the behavior of Republicans, his ignoring of the very serious Rangel issue demonstrates that this whining has nothing to do with interest in good government. Instead, it stems from pure partisanship.
Wilson is an idiot, but he is a nobody in the GOP and he didn’t break any laws or compromise his ethics. Rangel is a major Democratic player and appears to have intelntionally broken the law. Jay’s choice to focus on the former and ignore the latter is proof that his motivations do not extend beyond naked partisanship.
nana
September 11th, 2009
3:34 pm
This should be put to rest but if he has to apologize to the house then so be it, do it and get it over with, it was a stupid thing to do. But…..Mike brings up a good point when is Rangel going to resign and when is this tax cheater going to get what us ordinary people would get for this kind of behavior?
Chris
September 11th, 2009
3:35 pm
This liberal believes that the Dems are overstepping here. Wilson apologized. Obama accepted his apology. Move on.
Paul
September 11th, 2009
3:37 pm
Bosch
I thought the lender was gonna hose her for sure –
Woman needs a new financial advisor. Especially if she’s been acting as her own.
mike
September 11th, 2009
3:37 pm
Normal –
Oh please. Is my comment any more angry than your comments? Spare us the hypocrisy.
I am no angrier than you. You just are incapable of making any logical points so you make these silly personal attacks.
Just curious, have you ever accused AmVet or Taxpayer of being “angry”?
Paul
September 11th, 2009
3:38 pm
Bosch
Oops, wrong thread. Sorry -
josef nix
September 11th, 2009
3:38 pm
Aw, y’all leave Wilson alone. He thought he was posting here.
Paul
September 11th, 2009
3:41 pm
Normal
What really bugs me is the shenanigans with the rent-controlled apartments. What’d he have, four? Using them for what? In an area with extremely expensive rents, low housing availability, lots of families of modest means who’ve been on waiting lists for years for an apartment many here would regard as a broom closet? And the good Congressman is doing what again?
That is just plain wrong. It directly affects people with no power who need help.
Helen Talbert
September 11th, 2009
3:42 pm
I think Wilson if a hero. He spoke out for what he believed. If you go back to speeches that Bush made, you will hear all kinds of ugly things said and no one reported it. Just check and see where the money came from that was given to Wilson last night. You all know that the Democrats are given passes on things, but the Republicans are blown out of the water for the least little thing. I am proud of Wilson, and I bet the people of South Carolina will support him again. Just look at what John Mertha has done, and no one has reported on it. Almost all are corrurpt and we know it.
Kayaker 71
September 11th, 2009
3:42 pm
Doesn’t seem that many in Wilson’s district object to his “outburst”. Their observation, to a large part, was that someone had to say it. Ever watched a session of the House of Commons where a lot of what we do has it’s history? Those people don’t hesitate to express their opinions about what they disagree with and are willing to challenge their leaders without fear of reprisal or criticism. Hope Wilson continues to exercise his given right to challenge any political leader who tells lies and expects you to believe them.
mike
September 11th, 2009
3:42 pm
Just to be clear, Bookman has now written two posts about Wilson and zero about Rangel.
Which story is bigger? Which story will have more political impact? Which story does Jay focus on?
The trivial one.
mike
September 11th, 2009
3:44 pm
“What really bugs me is the shenanigans with the rent-controlled apartments.”
What really bugs me is that Rangel failed to report 4 million dollars in income. That’s a felony, but for some reason the media doesn’t want to report on it. As Jay has told us, the media is not biased, so I am confused as to why this is the case.
mike
September 11th, 2009
3:50 pm
Another point about this non-story is that Wilson apologized for calling Obama a liar. Obama has yet to apologize for calling his opponents liars.
moonbat betty
September 11th, 2009
3:52 pm
cut wilson’s tongue off!
beat his face until it looks like a volleyball!
Normal
September 11th, 2009
3:53 pm
Paul
September 11th, 2009
3:41 pm
Paul, like I said, no argument and I agree with Mike (bite mt tongue), the Democratic Leadership(?) should do something about him, but they won’t…
—————
Mike: “Just curious, have you ever accused AmVet or Taxpayer of being “angry”?”
—————–
Short answer, no. I find them to be sarcastic and humorous, but never angry. “On Paper” they never seem as bowed up as you. And another thing, we share alot of the same ideal, so you really can’t say I’m ideology driven against you. Josef and I had a conversation about this a while ago, if he remembers ask him. All I have been trying all day to tell you is you make your point better with most people if you do it with civility. BTW, one last “zinger”, most of the so called “Libruls” here have good manners, as do Bosch, Paul, scooter, @@, etc. It’s not hard to do.
————–
With that, I bid y’all adieu…I’m going home.
josef nix
September 11th, 2009
3:53 pm
Kayaker–House of Commons? Whoo-whee! I just WISH our congress people had half the wit and turn of phrase as they do! Now there is a voice of the people.
mike…to Normal:
“Just curious, have you ever accused AmVet or Taxpayer of being “angry”?
I can’t answer for them, but Normal has used the word for me, he’s my friend, and he was right. I was, and for that matter still am about the issue that was at hand…
Helen Talbert–I’m not sure I’d call Wilson a hero, but that’s up to the people of his district in South Carolina to decide. Let’s not forget that several of those calling for his chastisement are the same ones who applauded when their colleagues quoted Julius Streicher, Joseph Goebbels and Alfred Rosenberg in attacking the blue-haired biddies of a certain civic organization the name of which is probably verboten in these parts…
TaxPayer
September 11th, 2009
3:53 pm
Hey Paul, Cheney’s a Dick.
Jay
September 11th, 2009
3:55 pm
Not that it will matter to you Mike, but at my urging the AJC edit board wrote more than a year ago that Rangel ought to resign as chairman. My colleague Cynthia Tucker had a similar post just this week.
Again, not that it will matter to Mike. There is none among us who even approach his purity of heart and soul. All hail His Almighty Mikeness.
DebbieDoRight
September 11th, 2009
3:57 pm
Every repug says that: (over and over for each repuglicant “mistake”)
“I don’t condone his behavior and it was wrong for him to do that BUT……”
You guys should just buy a stamp or wear a T-shirt with that saying on it. It’ll save time.
josef nix
September 11th, 2009
3:59 pm
JAY–is mike Fierce Advocate’s only begotten son?
Ivan
September 11th, 2009
4:00 pm
How many times does he have to apologize before Pelosi is satisfied? He directly apologized to the White House and Obama. Something even our President couldn’t do when he thought a police officer acted stupidly.
Wilson shouldn’t have even apologized, in my opinion. Now the Pelosi lead Democrats will see that as a weakness, and obviously try to exploit it. More pointless politcal muscle flexing. But hey, that’s what they’re there for. Right?
Jay
September 11th, 2009
4:01 pm
Josef, Mike is what the late Isaiah Berlin would call a hedgehog.
Bosch
September 11th, 2009
4:05 pm
Okay Blog God – whatever.
I’ll break it up:
Paul,
Rangel’s a crook? Really? I think you’ve mentioned that once or twice – and have I ever mentioned that Dick Cheney is evil?
I think this should be dropped and move along…….
He probably spent all day thinking, “Oh God….I really do suck.”
moonbat betty
September 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
pelosi should sue wilson.
did you see that look on her face? priceless!
I think that un-did about 10 grand in botox treatments.
Pogo
September 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
It is fun watch Jay and his liberal lackeys here dance around saying anything about their progressive brethren at ACORN even with evidence of ACORN’s unlawful behaviour staring them straight in the eye. They can’t say anything about ACORN because without ACORN’s tactics and the “people” it represents, Obama & Co. wouldn’t be in the Whitehouse. Meanwhile, old Jay continues to hammer on and on about something that doesn’t mean anything at all. Liberal Action means: accentuate the meaningless and totally ignore or smear over the important details of the issues that do matter. JAY (and the rest of you Prog-ladites), you are HYPOCRITS.
Paul
September 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
mike 3:52
Pres Obama’s opponents are not just Republicans in the Congress, but various political action committees, industry groups and other. And many of them have, quite frankly, told lies. Not just a matter of interpretation, but deliberate falsehoods.
So if you hear the President’s remark in that context it is more understandable, I think –
TaxPayer
Bosch has dibs on Cheney. But maybe he’ll share (oooh, I can’t wait until Bosch reads that….).
Bosch
September 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
Okay…..Blog God is angry at the last part — oh I see the problem:
But he’s also raised quite a bit of moolah over the past 24 hours as well.
AND Annie!! Yes! I would hate to see one of the true great American artist’s works bas+ardized [say that five times fast]
mike
September 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
Jay –
Thanks for your usual response to my posts: spin and ad-hominem attacks.
I could really care less about your ad-hominem attacks, as anybody can make snarky character attacks. I stopped caring about such empty rhetoric when I left grammar school.
As far as your spin about your desire to cover Rangel last year, who cares? Why have you ignored the recent and much more serious allegations in favor of this Wilson story that has no lasting relevance.
The count still stands. Two posts about Wilson. Zero posts about Rangel.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 11th, 2009
4:07 pm
I think a censure (or whatever the proper parlimentary procedure is) is called for.
Re: Rangel – fry ‘im.
(However, I would be telling a fib if I didn’t point out that apparently having control of the Government does make it easier to
keep the bad eggs rather than toss ‘em…..ie David Vitter…..)
DebbieDoRight
September 11th, 2009
4:08 pm
Has Rangel been indicted in a court yet? If not, there’s nothing Pelosi or anyone else can do to him. Remember that guy from Lousiana? Until he was actually INDICTED in a court of law, there was nothing anyone can do. Pointing fingers and saying that this “should be done” is nice; but until you have the law on your side, you’re helpless. They just can’t strip Rangel until they have justification to do so.
Bosch
September 11th, 2009
4:09 pm
Paul,
“most of the so called “Libruls” here have good manners, as do Bosch, Paul, scooter, @@, etc. It’s not hard to do”
Hey!!! See that!!! We have good manners – I MUST call my mother immediately!! And that 4:06 – of course I’ll share – I have good manners. And I mean, come on, the more people who get the message about the evilness of Dick Cheney the less work on me.
Hey! When did you become a liberal? You could have told me.
mike
September 11th, 2009
4:10 pm
Paul –
Fair enough, but Bush was subject to far more outrageous lies and distortions, but he never called his opponents liars, as Obama has done.
Further, we have seen plenty of untruths come from the left on healthcare as well. Politicians and pundits are professional liars. The notion that one kind does any more or less than the other is a fool’s argument.
md
September 11th, 2009
4:11 pm
Politicians like “face time”.
Imagine the face time nancy will get with the clip of her saying she won’t press the issue and of her pressing the issue.
Gotta love the games they play.
Brad Steel
September 11th, 2009
4:11 pm
mike-tard,
Rangel’s BS has been reported in few in myriad sources including his home-advantage paper – The New York Times. But, of course The Times is a conservative stalwart that is above the “liberal” media shills like Fox and GE owned media outlets. NPR has also had in-depth reporting on Rangel, but I am certain you are not part of the educated audience that listen to NPR. I’m betting you’re strictly a Beck-man when it comes to getting the 411 on important issues.
mike-tard, it is sufficient to say your have no clue and should shut up.
Paul
September 11th, 2009
4:11 pm
Bosch
[[I think this should be dropped and move along…….]]
Well, considering how some who have come into the midpoint on this have reacted, and given how Jay has twice had to cite past AJC coverage, I think that’s a fine idea.
BTW – didja ever find Sen Lieberman?
okay, okay…. I’ll drop it….
Jay
September 11th, 2009
4:11 pm
Pogo, ACORN has about as much impact on national politics as the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. And I mean no disrespect to the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
The right’s fixation on a minor liberal NGO is pretty strange, indicative of a need for a secret villain it can villify and blame for all its troubles.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 11th, 2009
4:11 pm
specifics mike, specifics
mike
September 11th, 2009
4:11 pm
For example of distortions coming from Obama take a look here:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/personalities/barack-obama/
Now I am not saying that he is a liar. He isn’t. I am just saying that the notion that one side is truthful and the other side is not is laughable on its face.
josef nix
September 11th, 2009
4:13 pm
Jay–So, you’ve read Berlin? Ypu never cease to surprise me, Sir! I am inclined to agree with you and now that you bring it up, the hedgehog-fox applies in these parts. I generally agreed with Berlin’s categorization, but he put one of my heroes, Proust, in the hedgehog camp…
Bosch
September 11th, 2009
4:13 pm
mike,
“The notion that one kind does any more or less than the other is a fool’s argument.”
Yeah, but funny how you – who claim to be such a dedicated centrist – never point out those on the right.