Obama on Health Reform to Congress: 'No one should go broke because they got sick' last part

A Republican House member shouted "You lie" during President Obama's health care speech to Congress on Wednesday, and members of both parties condemned the heckling. South Carolina Democratic Party chair says Wilson "embarrassed" state. The outburst came when Obama denied that proposed health care legislation would provide free health coverage for illegal immigrants. Immediately, Wilson shouted, "You lie!" . The outburst caused Obama to stop and look toward the heckler. "That's not true," the president responded. Behind him, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared shocked and turned toward the outburst as Vice President Joe Biden looked down and shook his head. Loud boos echoed through the chamber immediately after the outburst.

While it was the most attention-getting, Wilson's shout wasn't the only demonstration of displeasure made by Republicans during the speech.

Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, wore a sign around his neck that said, "WHAT BILL?" And when Obama asked Republicans to share their health reform ideas with him, a small group raised up a stack of papers above their heads.
After the speech, Republican Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate defeated by Obama last year, called Wilson's outburst "totally disrespectful" and said he should apologize.

Appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live," he said there was "no place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately."

Other Republicans also criticized Wilson, along with the expected Democratic condemnation.

"It was crude and disrespectful," said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, a top Senate Democrat. "I think the person who said it will pay a price."

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, called on Wilson to go to the floor Thursday and apologize. She said Wilson's comment and other GOP tactics "strike me as odd. ... The minority leader has to get control of his conference." Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, told CNN affiliate WIS-TV in Columbia that he, too, was disappointed.

"The president's combative tone did not justify a member of Congress shouting out, 'You lie,' " said Graham. "Our nation's president deserves to be treated with respect. It was an inappropriate remark, and I am glad an apology has been made."

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler took it further.

"Once again a South Carolina Republican has embarrassed our state," Fowler's office said in a statement that referred to S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford's extramarital affair.

"Never has any member of Congress shown such disrespect for the president during a speech," Fowler wrote. "One would think that as a member of the military, Joe Wilson would have more respect and patriotism than he displayed tonight. When Congressman Wilson insulted President Obama, he also insulted the American public. Joe Wilson is a poor example of a statesman and an American. He owes an apology to the president and the American people." The Democrat hoping to unseat Wilson in next year's midterm elections also quickly seized on the Republican's outburst.

"Rep. Wilson's behavior tonight exemplifies everything that is wrong in Washington," Democrat Rob Miller said in a statement provided to CNN. "Instead of engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our commander-in-chief, Joe Wilson should be working towards a bipartisan solution that makes quality, affordable health care available to each and every South Carolinian."

After the speech, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, tweeted that it was the "biggest" disappointment of the evening. "Biggest disappointmnt of evening, the total lack of respect shown by one member for the President," she wrote. "Never acceptable to behave like a jerk."

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[grundsell]

Great speech! We're here to shape the future - hopefully the politicians all realise that.

[Xeonai]

That guy at the end doesn't really have a point.

Obama said, MORE THAN ONCE, that you can keep insurance you have if you want to. This isn't a replacement, it's not completely socialized health care, it's just an option.

[Cordero787]

Americans are stupid animals that will never believe in the common good, even though over 40,000 of them are dying yearly from lack of insurance. They are selfish dogs and greedy pigs without a heart to ever digest the benefit of universal health care.

[KDMAN2008]

this guy only cares bout black ppl that's why he wants gov. to run everything cause most black ppl are using the gov.

[arslp]

"The leveling hand of wisdom" has yet to be seen in this administration.

[arslp]

@Xeonai

you never read either of the bills, did you? He lied. Watch & see; then excuse it then.

[Nachum]

A. You can't keep the Insurance you have

B. Your taxes are going up

C. Not everybody is going to be insured

[allenshen007]

All the Republicans should be fired for good

[min54teresa]

@karluscha84 - You think so?Giving people free healthcare is a reason to NOT work because they don't have to to get it. In California our budgets in the toilet for free medical care provided to any all iliigrant immigrants

Do you rememeber that through out his campaign Obama preached that the health care discussing would be televised? I must've been watching American Idol when the health care was being televevised.He was talking out his ass then & still is.And the Dems sucked it all up.

[min54teresa]

What a sincere, sincere guy. Can you'all hear the techinque in his words, demeanor& general bullshit? Barf!

"Learn something about ourselves"?.What I learned is that Obama is proving himself to be an idiot.;.mainly unqualified, .lying ,bullshitter. I wonder if Michelle still feeling "proud of our her country".Wasn't Obama going to put Health Care discussion on television so we could give our input?

I cannot believe how so easily the Democrats believed this joker was the man for the job.

[Rjackman84]

I've seen the eyes thing and Mine do that too on a camera. Does that mean Im a "Reptile" I don't think so.

[karluscha84]

P.S.: President Speeches are always written by someone else, never saw "West Wing"? :D