Joe Wilson's "You Lie!" Spurs Support, Criticism
After President Obama on Wednesday said his proposed health care reforms would not apply to illegal immigrants, Wilson (R-S.C.) shouted out, "You lie!" The congressman quickly apologized for his behavior, and the president accepted his apology.
Wilson has reportedly refused to apologize any further, but Brendan Daly, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, told the AP that party leaders decided Thursday they may move forward with a resolution of disapproval against Wilson if he does not.
Democratic fundraisers have leveraged Wilson's outburst to raise money for his electoral opponent, Democrat Rob Miller. Miller has already reportedly raised as much as $750,000 since Wednesday.
Wilson is financially benefiting from the event as well, reportedly raising around $200,000 since the incident. The congressman posted a video online on Thursday, shown above, asking for more donations.
Though Wilson has apologized for interrupting Mr. Obama, he says in the video, "On these issues, I will not be muzzled. I will speak up, and speak loudly, against this risky plan."
"The supporters of the government takeover of health care, and the liberals who want to give health care to illegals, are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly-conceived plan," he says. "They made it clear they want to defeat me and pass the plan. I need your help now. If you agree with me that the government-run health plan is bad medicine for America, then I ask for your support."
Wilson's son Alan Wilson, who is running for state attorney general, spoke with Maggie Rodriguez on the CBS Early Show on Friday and defended his father's outburst.
"I think everyone understands that he was basically voicing the frustration of the American people," he said.
The AP reports, however, that at least three members of a volunteer committee that advises Wilson on minority issues have resigned since Wednesday. One of those volunteers, Nate Barber, told the AP he hopes Wilson's high-pitched reaction to the president had nothing to do with race.
"Obama is a president of color and it's not happened before,'' Barber said. "I'd rather give him the benefit of the doubt."
Wilson's outburst has spurred a great deal of curiosity about him, resulting in a high level of online searches for information about him, as well as the resurfacing of old reports that the congressman frequently used caffeine pills.
