VP Known For Saying Stupid(er) Things Condemns Congressman’s Outburst As “Embarrassing” – With Video

September 10th, 2009 (9) Posted By Erik Wong.

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WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden says a Republican congressman’s outburst during President Barack Obama’s health-care speech Wednesday night “demeaned the institution.”

South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson shouted “You lie” after Obama said extending health care to all Americans would not mean insuring illegal immigrants.

Appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday, Biden said the incident made him “embarrassed for the chamber and a Congress I love.”

After the speech, Wilson apologized for the incident. Biden said he hadn’t spoken with Obama, but was “sure he accepted the apology.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans alike are denouncing Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting “You lie” at President Barack Obama during his speech to Congress, an extraordinary breach of decorum for which the South Carolina Republican swiftly apologized.

“There’ll be time enough to consider whether or not we ought to make it clear that that action is unacceptable in the House of Representatives,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said late Wednesday on WTOP radio when asked about possible punishment for Wilson. “I’ve talked to Republican members who share that view.”

“Let’s see what he does,” Hoyer said before Wilson issued an apology. “Then there’s time enough to consider further action.”

House Republicans did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but there was widespread condemnation of the outburst from members of both parties.

Wilson’s outburst came after Obama said extending health care to all Americans who seek it would not mean insuring illegal immigrants.

“You lie!” Wilson shouted from his seat on the Republican side of the chamber.

Wilson’s behavior caused a political hangover for him and possibly for the Republican critics Obama had cast as shrill and more interested in killing any health care overhaul than finding a way to provide it.

Later, Wilson was contrite.

“This evening I let my emotions get the best of me,” he said in a statement. “While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.”

He then tried to call Obama to apologize personally, but ended up talking with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel instead, Wilson’s office said.

By that time, the congressman’s Web site had crashed, he had taken a beating on his Twitter page and Democrat Rob Miller had raised thousands of unexpected dollars online for a possible rematch with Wilson in next year’s midterm elections, according to Lachlan McIntosh, Miller’s campaign manager.

“Everybody was stunned,” Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said of Wilson’s eruption. “It was just something that nobody had ever witnessed before. We all felt embarrassed.”

Republicans froze; several glanced in Wilson’s direction.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi directed a fierce frown at him; first lady Michelle Obama pursed her lips and shook her head from side to side. Vice President Joe Biden looked down and shook his head too.

Obama, meanwhile, looked toward the outburst and replied, “That’s not true” before going on with his speech.

Wilson appeared to consult his Blackberry for much of the rest of Obama’s speech. He shook his head defiantly after several of the president’s statements. When Obama finished, Wilson bolted from the chamber.

Wilson’s behavior was “totally disrespectful,” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who had been Obama’s rival in the 2008 presidential election, said on CNN. “There is no place for it in that setting, or any other, and he should apologize for it immediately.”

(AP)

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  • vincenzo4

    What this woman has wrought and defended and unleashed in her career is shameful, yet exploitation is best served Democrat: “Everybody was stunned,” Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said of Wilson’s eruption. “It was just something that nobody had ever witnessed before. We all felt embarrassed.”

    This guy is through, they will decapitate him and rape his reputation just like Watergate-annually.

    • solomonpal

      Don’t look for any republicans to stand up for us when TSHTF.They will cower like the pusillanimous crud they are.They disgust me the same as the Dimocraps. FTR’S

  • prestonsbrooks

    :roll: Biden’s such a phony POS. GO WILSON! Actually, it would have been great to see conservatives blasting those canned air horns, activating whoopee cushions, and throwing rotten eggs and tomatoes at the stage! But what Wilson should have done was pull the plug on The Suit’s teleprompters halfway into his speech, or subtitute a phony speech :lol: If you have ever seen the British House of Commons, you get the idea… :razz:

  • Nanny

    I’m pissed Wilson apologized! But what was even more priceless was the look on Pelosi’s face – PRICELESS!!! I wish the fucking hag would have had a stroke! And then we could have had a death panel of conservatives decide her care!

    • copperpeony

      I am so with you Nanny!!!!!!!

  • http://snooperreport.com Mark L Harvey (aka Snooper)

    Wilson did just AOK in my book. We need MORE and MORE of TRUE Patriots speaking out!

  • Jay

    Something tells me Rep. Joe Wilson has waisted a great opprotunity. Instead of issueing an apology he could have used the moment to launch a very patriotic Daniel Hannan type opposition to this health care debate.

  • Sully

    The Marxist Progressives show far more disrespect to our country every day.
    Their smoke and mirrors act needs to be called out more often and louder.

    As for befuddled Joe, he’s forgotten the Progressive mantra that fighting ‘terrorism’ creates more ‘terrorists’.
    Just give up Progs, you’re gonna lose.

  • LMWIS

    Hypocritical response from the Democrat’s. I remember the 2005 state of the Union address. Two wrongs don’t make a right though. he should have kept his mouth shut.