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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

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Matt Taibbi

Palin: Our First WWE Politician

Pick an asshole, any asshole, and she'll rock the house

Nov 22, 09 10:44 AM CST
analysis

Book Tour Shows Palin
Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

Nov 22, 09 2:46 PM CST
the big plan

Beck Will Host Conventions
to Educate America

He's shifting toward political organizer, plans big DC rally

Nov 21, 09 5:06 PM CST
editorial

NYT to Blankfein:
Your 'Apology'
Is Bull

Editorial board schools Goldman CEO in true meaning of 'sorry'

Nov 22, 09 4:53 PM CST
NO COMMUNION FOR YOU, MY SON

RI Bishop Disses
Kennedy Over
Pro-Choice
Stance

Spat over Patrick's position on abortion escalates

Nov 22, 09 8:23 AM CST
Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

'Going Rogue' boosts Dem fundraising to new high

Nov 21, 09 6:50 AM CST
Senate Democrats Clear
Health Care Hurdle, 60-39

Reid gets 60 votes to open full debate after Thanksgiving recess

Nov 21, 09 7:13 PM CST
TALK SHOW ROUNDUP

McConnell:
Dems Proceed
at 2010 Peril

Senators hit the Sunday talk shows after health vote

Nov 22, 09 11:15 AM CST
who let the paranoids out?

46 Years After Kennedy, the Virus of Hate Is Back

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert panders to dangerous paranoids

Nov 21, 09 9:08 AM CST
Eyes on 2010

Lincoln
Swings to
Center of
Health Debate

Dems come calling as GOP eyes her seat in 2010

Nov 22, 09 1:03 PM CST
Billboard Links Obama to Jihad

Colo. car dealership wants this opinion heard

Nov 20, 09 8:42 PM CST
HE'S GOT A BOOK OUT, TOO

Beck to Unveil
'Big Plan' at
Saturday Rally

Righty pundit OK with destroying Dems and GOP

Nov 20, 09 8:07 PM CST
Neglected Ind. Fans Boo Palin

Hecklers accuse her of 'quitting on the job'

Nov 20, 09 3:50 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

House Admonishes Wilson for 'You Lie!'

Posted Sep 15, 09 4:47 PM CDT|

(AP) – The House formally admonished Joe Wilson today for his "You lie" outburst during President Obama's speech. The vote was 240-179, with 12 Democrats and seven Republicans voting against party lines. "At issue," declared House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer during debate, "is whether we are able to proceed with a degree of civility and decorum that our rules and our democracy contemplate and require." But GOP leader John Boehner dismissed the resolution as a "witchhunt. ... My goodness, we could be doing this every day of the week."

When he took the floor prior to the vote, Wilson refused to back down. "I think it is clear to the American people that there are far more important issues facing this nation than what we're addressing right now." He said Obama had "graciously accepted my apology and the issue is over." The House historian's office said the resolution marks the first time in the 220-year history of the chamber that a member had been admonished for speaking out while the president was giving an address.

In this photo provided by FOX News, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., appears on "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (Freddie Lee)

Joe Wilson, in a file photo from Sept. 9. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

In this photo provided by FOX News, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., appears on "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (Freddie Lee)

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53 comments

VIEWING:

Unaffiliated
Sep 15, 09 4:07 PM CDT

What a waste of time. Wilson should apologize on the floor of the House for breaking decorum, and then they can all get back to work. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Newser001
Sep 15, 09 4:31 PM CDT

I disagree - It's NOT a waste of time. Wilson needs to hear from his peers and constituents with regard to his reprehensible behavior - Draw a clear line and distinction on the matter. Again, if approved, it would mark the first time in the 220-year history of the House that a member had been admonished for speaking out while the president was giving an address. It's unquestionably a serious breach of protocol / respect of the office and Wilson needs to be placed formally into the record for such. To do otherwise establishes an unwanted / unwarented precedence.

+15

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 4:38 PM CDT

No he knew what the rules were when he jumped and said what he did. Now he has to take the punishment that goes along with it. No matter what you feel about the President, he is the President and deserves Mr. Wilson's respect while he is talking. So Wilson deserves whatever punishment his peers give him.

+17

IN RESPONSE:

Unaffiliated
Sep 15, 09 4:42 PM CDT

If Wilson had apologized on the floor last week, we never would have gotten this far. He's just milking his time in the national spotlight for some sort of political gain. Here's hoping the South Carolinians see him for what he has revealed himself to be, reject that, and vote him out of office.

+11

IN RESPONSE:

SilenceDogood
Sep 15, 09 7:37 PM CDT

Did Bill Clinton ever apologize to America for chasing Monica around while wiggling his cigar? Then I say F*ck it, let the chips roll where they may. Wilson may have been impetuous, but the words rang true.

-12

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Sep 15, 09 7:49 PM CDT

"His words rang true"? Except, of course, that according to factcheck.org and a reading of the proposal, Wilson was the one who was lying.

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 15, 09 8:23 PM CDT

Did George Bush ever apologize for allowing a gay prostitute to have clearance to White House press conferences so he could ask george softball questions?

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 10:08 PM CDT

@rocky actually factcheck said that wilson had a point in what he said.

-4

| 0 minutes ago

Reader64481089
Sep 15, 09 4:07 PM CDT

Wilson . "I think it is clear to the American people that there are far more important issues facing this nation than what we're addressing right now."....You are correct Wilson, for example how much money did the Health Insurance Industry give you when you ran last, also how much have lobbyist paid you in recent months? Reply

+11

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 4:40 PM CDT

the health insurance industry gave him $16,000 dollars in his last campaign. The unions actually gave him more. Wilson raised like 1.1 million according to his campaign finance records.

-9

IN RESPONSE:

Reader64481089
Sep 15, 09 4:55 PM CDT

You will never look it up I am sure Godawg but here is to your petty $16,000. Your figure of 16,000 doesn't touch the truth: "according to the Center for Responsive Politics OpenSecrets.org database. He received another $86,150 from pharmaceutical companies, $73,050 from insurance companies and $68,000 from hospitals and nursing homes. Among Wilson’s top contributors are the American Hospital Association, a lobby group that represents the interests of hospitals and health networks, and the American Medical Association, which represents physicians. " .....You see, use a search engine, look it up. I found this and 1,296 more references and this is a conservative estimate so I would not offend you to badly but as you can see it is a wee bit more than $16,000.00 hell $16,000.00 would not pay the taxes if the real amount were declared income.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 5:09 PM CDT

@reader since i posted you this in another story where you made this claim, lets try a neutral site http://www.campaignmoney.com/committee.asp?pg=1&candidateid=H2SC02059&cycle=08&cnt=24&amt=38000&cname=Addison+%28joe%29+Graves+Wilson&prevpage=1&prevpage=2&prevpage=3&prevpage=4

-5

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 5:18 PM CDT

@reader I checked your source and I think you got some comma's in the wrong place. My number was off but I have no idea which article you used but wow, really off. For the 2007-2008 campaign the Real Estate Industry gave him the most money with health professionals coming in second, if you look at committee and pac combined. I know how to use a search engine but I thought that you would verify your stuff before you make such a big deal about it. My numbers match up more iwth the top 100 contributers. I didn't know that some of them were medical people. what article did you quote? http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?type=C&cid=N00024809&newMem=N&cycle=2008

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Wraith
Sep 15, 09 6:00 PM CDT

@ godawgs, try www.opensecret.org and prepare to get disgusted. Each time he runs it just gets worse and higher, they have it broken down by each contributing group and in many cases the individuals contributed a big fat zero...Take a peek:Industry ? Total ? Indivs ? PACs ? Lawyers/Law Firms $72,270 $58,770 $13,500 Health Professionals $58,511 $27,850 $30,661 Leadership PACs $54,390 $0 $54,390 Real Estate $48,375 $31,675 $16,700 General Contractors $36,050 $23,050 $13,000 Automotive $31,200 $12,700 $18,500 Insurance $31,050 $17,050 $14,000 Retired $26,750 $26,750 $0 Lobbyists $25,161 $23,911 $1,250 Trucking $23,550 $20,550 $3,000 Home Builders $20,650 $8,650 $12,000 Beer, Wine & Liquor $19,750 $2,250 $17,500 Hospitals/Nursing Homes $19,000 $11,000 $8,000 Business Services $16,650 $14,150 $2,500 Electric Utilities $16,500 $1,000 $15,500 Commercial Banks $15,000 $3,750 $11,250 Telephone Utilities $15,000 $0 $15,000 Misc Manufacturing & Distributing $14,150 $10,650 $3,500 Gun Rights $10,450 $0 $10,450 Construction Services $10,200 $9,200 $1,000 Accountants $10,200 $2,700 $7,500 ................. http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?type=C&cid=N00024809&newMem=N&cycle=2002

IN RESPONSE:

Wraith
Sep 15, 09 6:01 PM CDT

and that was 2002 broken down, the link will take you directly to the page and they are fairly non biased

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 6:29 PM CDT

@wraith that is the site I looked at, did you see the link at the bottom of the post. are you using the career numbers or the last election cycle? i was only using the 2008 election cycle numbers for both of my sources.

-5

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 6:29 PM CDT

@wraith saw your other post where you are using career. I was only using the 2008 numbers for both.

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Newser001
Sep 15, 09 10:00 PM CDT

Another source - According to OpenSecrets.org Wilson has solicited and received $71,400 so far this year from healthcare and insurance industries. $471,396 from the insurance and healthcare industries over his career ($40,400 this year alone). He solicited and raised $292,261 in PAC funds ($31,000 this year alone). He solicited and raised $292,261 in healthcare and insurance PAC funds over his entire career. Grand Total = $764,017. Just who does Wilson owe his allegiance to? He's obviously bought and paid for by the industry.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 10:10 PM CDT

@newser how do you have wilson's contributions sorted? i have looked on opensecrets, and apparently I am the only idiot in america who can't sort the page to find those figures.

-4

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 15, 09 10:22 PM CDT

@newser found it, and the career numbers are from 1989 until now. I still don't condone what he did but I would think that the real estate and lawyers would hold more influence over him then the health care industry since they give more money combined and he was a real estate lawyer. I mean the amount of money i guess doesn't can be the end all be all since Pelosi has taken over 116,000 from the health care industry this year as well.

-4

IN RESPONSE:

Newser001
Sep 16, 09 11:19 AM CDT

@godawgs - I had to crunch some of the numbers on OpenSecrets.org. Wilson has received millions in special interests funds. Republicans lead the pack with special interests funding, but the Democrats aren't too far behind; clear conflicts of interest. If this isn't an indication that money doesn't buy inappropriate influence, I don't what does. Agreed, too many own a piece of Wilson. Recall, we tried to stop PAC and special interest funding, but the House and Congress rejected the matter along with term limits. Wilson isn't the only one - Its both sides of the isle and it needs to stop. When votes are purchased you're not acting in your constituents interest's, you're only acting in your own = Corruption. Q: How the hell is this even possible, legal...?!!

| 0 minutes ago

Toon
Sep 15, 09 4:10 PM CDT

If my child were to insult a guest they would not only need to apologize to the guest but also to us for being such an embarrassment. Yes Wilson apologized to Obama but Congress has very formal rules about how they act on the floor and wilson clearly acted in inappropriate way according to those rules. He owes an apology to his fellow Congress members, including his fellow Republicans for being failing to conduct himself in a manner that reflects well on the House of Representatives. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

BlueAyez
Sep 15, 09 4:44 PM CDT

It's not about the man it's about the office. It demeans the presidency to have such outbursts. Reply

+14

IN RESPONSE:

Wraith
Sep 15, 09 5:52 PM CDT

Exactly and everyone in the world in power who hates America feeds off that trash which is motivated by pure greed of a corporate lackey

| 0 minutes ago

stacysaw
Sep 15, 09 4:53 PM CDT

the wilsons of this country have fox news as a place they can go to shout about lies and liars 24-7. he should've kept his cakehole shut until the next time hannity's cameras started rolling. Reply

+11

| 0 minutes ago

Dr.Y.Dino
Sep 15, 09 4:57 PM CDT

I assume the resolution included retroactive admonition of those that booed President Bush!! Reply

-9

IN RESPONSE:

JimW
Sep 15, 09 5:09 PM CDT

That is a common thing on both sides, done as a group , as is massive foot-shuffling , etc. But to shout out in a loud voice a piece that is a lie in itself, as well as a personal insult, is very dis-respectful to the office of President. It doesn't matter who is in that office, that is just something that is not done. This ain't the English Parliament. Although, THAT is a fun thing to watch.. ;-)

IN RESPONSE:

yoeydude
Sep 15, 09 8:30 PM CDT

you know what they say about assuming , ass u me , are you a proctologist ? pull your head out

-2

IN RESPONSE:

yoeydude
Sep 15, 09 8:31 PM CDT

gawdawful , likes to throw numbers around like he knows what hes talking about ,...... fail

| 0 minutes ago

Timinator2K
Sep 15, 09 5:05 PM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment. Reply

-13

IN RESPONSE:

nick
Sep 15, 09 6:59 PM CDT

" ... against the next sitting Republican President". Dream on!

IN RESPONSE:

yoeydude
Sep 15, 09 8:23 PM CDT

the next repug President ? timmy you wont be alive for that , the republican party is done for a least a generation , you are on meds

| 0 minutes ago

jamerican
Sep 15, 09 5:06 PM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment. Reply

-17

IN RESPONSE:

Dr.Gonzo
Sep 15, 09 5:50 PM CDT

yea i dont think obama techincally lied. he just left out that there will be no check to see who is illegal and who is not. its kinda like when my girl asks if i smoked pot yesterday with my friends and i say no because it was 12:01 and therefore techincally took place today. hmmm dont know if that make sense, but then again im high.

-8

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Sep 15, 09 8:17 PM CDT

To jamerican. If Joey boy were honest he'd give up his govt.-sponsored health care. He's also never go back to a govt.-run hospital (Bethesda). My dad was a Republican & a racist. He voted for Nixon & Goldwater. As soon as we moved to Canada he never returned to America because Canada has universal health care.

IN RESPONSE:

yoeydude
Sep 15, 09 8:26 PM CDT

hey jah kook , wtf do you know ? not much based on your pathetic posts

| 0 minutes ago

paul123
Sep 15, 09 6:31 PM CDT

A slap on the wrist and he'll be back to work. Move along people. Reply

-5

IN RESPONSE:

Newser001
Sep 16, 09 11:23 AM CDT

Doubtful he'll be reelected.

| 0 minutes ago

radnip
Sep 15, 09 6:39 PM CDT

Yeah, there're more important issues, such as tax cuts for the rich, which ALL conservatives know, would increase consumer spending, right? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

rtl
Sep 15, 09 6:55 PM CDT

YEAH. Those GOP'ers are BRAINIACS!!!! Look how well that worked out for the middle class!

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Sep 15, 09 8:21 PM CDT

Radnip, have you noticed how the Republicans act like they won the election?

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Sep 15, 09 8:22 PM CDT

John Boehner is worse than Tom De Lay.

IN RESPONSE:

pwnage
Sep 15, 09 8:37 PM CDT

I'm middle class. Point being?

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Derni
Sep 15, 09 7:16 PM CDT

Give him a talk show with Russ-Fox xollexts such crass people for their shows Reply

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
Sep 15, 09 7:37 PM CDT

It must be nice to get money to oppose health care reform & also be a racist. What a bonus for Joey boy. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

schmidtkoff
Sep 15, 09 8:10 PM CDT

hmm. can't wait to start counting the "you lie" bumper stickers while i'm driving to and from work and errand running here in good old sc. they will probably be popping up like dollar weed in the manicured lawns of charleston. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

yoeydude
Sep 15, 09 8:19 PM CDT

a couple of firsts here , first time a congressman shouts at a President in chambers , it just so happens that it is also the first Black President , gee ,... oh and the congressman in question , a son of the Confederacy or some such club ,..... man thats a body of circumstances that just screams out something ,...... what could it be ? the south , what a waste Reply

| 0 minutes ago

serfinWI
Sep 15, 09 9:10 PM CDT

Obama did lie. It is illegal for any ER to turn away any patient, regardless of race, language or if they have health care. It is also the same for schools. IIllegal imigration is a huge issue that Obama totally avoiede in his campaign and presently because he will get slammed from both sides. He says there will be no illegal immigrants allowed to benefit from his gov't health insurance, but if gov't can't keep illegals out of gov't run schools, how would they keep them out of gov't run health care? It's a quagmire for them, and they are trying to blow this all by you with smoke and mirrors again, getting you all up in arms about race. Big picture, divide and conquer. Reply

-3

| 0 minutes ago

hughchi
Sep 16, 09 4:49 AM CDT

This blogsite is too good (read 'true') to miss - http://blog.reidreport.com/2009/09/the-diary-of-addison-graves-joe-wilson/ Reply

| 0 minutes ago

sanagalrc
Sep 16, 09 9:20 AM CDT

From the title of this I thought it was talking about Dr. House and Wilson for a split second. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

JoeQ
Sep 16, 09 10:24 AM CDT

Well, Wilson has his place in the history books now. He will be remembered for this incident above everything else he ever did in Congress. Congratulations, Mr. Wilson! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Ucantusethatname
Sep 16, 09 12:30 PM CDT

I am always amazed how quickly Congress acts when voting on dumb and irrelevant issues. Real problems are seldom solved and often infrequently addressed: drunk driving, illegal immigration, illegal drugs, federal spending, pork-barrel spending, campaign finance reform. Passing a law that demands that passengers remove their shoes at airports is a good example of the lightweight brainpower in the head of the average member of Congress. Voters should not return any of these ineffective politicians to office in 2010. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

yoeydude
Sep 16, 09 9:47 PM CDT

hey corneelus , do you really think delay is not the worst ? pls review what I have said about him in the past ,.... john jr. bonner is a faint whiff of sufuric ass gas compared to the toxic cloud that is the of the former speaker and waiting for a prison jumpsuit tom de layspicable Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

View all 53 comments »

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