Wilson Wasn't Only Republican Behaving Badly

President addresses Congress in final push

(NEWSER) - Declaring that the US is at a “breaking point” and that “the time for bickering is over” on health-care reform, President Obama pressed his case before a joint session of Congress tonight. Obama shot down a number of charges from opponents, to applause from supporters, Politico notes—though GOP Rep. Joe Wilson yelled “Lie!” when Obama said the plan wouldn’t cover illegal immigrants. More»

End-of-life counseling provided in Medicare bill

(NEWSER) - They’re up in arms against it now, but Republicans voted for a measure providing end-of-life counseling in 2003, Amy Sullivan writes for Time. That year’s Medicare prescription drug bill, which boasted support from 204 GOP representatives and 42 senators, offered funding for “counseling the beneficiary with respect to end-of-life issues and care options”—a provision very similar to the current proposal's. More»

(AP) - Former President Jimmy Carter says Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech last week was an act "based on racism." Carter says Wilson's comment was part of an "inherent feeling" of some that a black man should not be president. In responding to a question at a town-hall meeting at his presidential center in Atlanta, Carter also called Wilson's comment "dastardly" and said the president should be treated with respect. More»

SC Republican accused of sins from beer-spitting to newspaper theft

(NEWSER) - A website born overnight fires back at Rep. Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican who accused the president of lying, the Huffington Post reports. The site makes shocking accusations consistent with its slogan: “You dissed America, we’ll dis you right the f--- back.” A few gems from joewilsonisyourpreexistingcondition.com:

• Joe Wilson yells while adults are talking
• Joe Wilson stole your newspaper
• Joe Wilson didn’t refill your Brita pitcher

(AP) - South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, who shouted "You lie" at President Barack Obama during his speech to Congress tonight, called the White House within hours of the outburst, attempting to reach Obama. He ended up speaking instead to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, and "expressed his apologies," his office said. More»