RSS
Home
House votes to censure Wilson for outburst
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., right, enters his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009. The House voted to admonish Wilson over his "You lie" outburst to President Barack Obama during the president's health care speech to Congress last week.(AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to formally repremand Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) for shouting, "You lie!" during President Obama's health care address on Sept. 9th.
The final vote was 240-179 in favor of censure, with five lawmakers voting "present."
Debate before the vote was lively, with Republicans attempting to deflect the censure as a cynical political ploy, and Democrats fulminating at the rude disruption of the decorum of that august body.
The censure measure was pushed by Democrats to a vote even though Wilson publicly apologized immediately after the speech. At the time, Wilson said, "I let my emotions get the best of me." The White House indicated that President Obama accepted the apology and that no further action was necessary.
Democratic legislators repeatedly demanded that Wilson apologize on the House floor, but he refused. "There are far more important issues facing this nation than what we're addressing right now."
The public effect of Wilson's outburst has been extensive. Conservative political commentators, such as Ann Coulter, have been eager to air their views, and these pundits provided Wilson with substantial public support. Some commentators, recalling similiar treatment given President Bush, wonder if this newly-minted decorum will apply equally to both parties. Both Wilson and his 2010 election opponent, Democrat Rob Miller, have each raised more than $1M in campaign contributions. President Jimmy Carter weighed in on the issue, saying that Wilson's outburst was caused by "racism", thus prompting a tsunami of commentary.
The RNC sent out an email blast to its membership this morning condemning the Democratic censure as a cynical political ploy and soliciting donations.
Other Wilson news on Examiner
Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst sparks outrage, support
http://www.examiner.com/x-13572-RNC-Examiner~y2009m9d10-Rep-Joe-Wilsons-outburst-sparks-outrage-support
RNC uses Wilson censure to solicit petition signatures donations
http://www.examiner.com/x-13572-RNC-Examiner~y2009m9d17-RNC-uses-Wilson-censure-to-solicit-petition-signatures-donations
Ann Coulter calls Joe Wilson great American statesman (video)
http://www.examiner.com/x-12767-US-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m9d12-Ann-Coulter-calls-Joe-Wilson-great-American-statesman-video
Jimmy Carter thinks Joe Wilson is a racist
http://www.examiner.com/x-15158-Providence-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m9d16-Jimmy-Carter-thinks-Joe-Wilson-is-a-racist
Democrats must now decide on Rep. Joe Wilson censure after his 'You lie!' outburst
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5738-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m9d14-Democrats-must-now-decide-Rep-Joe-Wilson-censure-after-his-You-lie-outburst
== Outlinks ==
House Votes to Discipline Wilson for Outburst
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/15/house-disciplines-wilson-outburst/
Will intolerance be applied equally?
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/09/17/20090917thur2-17.html
Source: Wilson breaks $1 million
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0909/Wilson_campaign_Fundraising_breaks_1_million_passes_Miller.html
Related Articles:
Comments
