Obama: I'm No Jimmy Carter

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

Highly effective talk knocks down House plan, public option

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s health care speech was “the finest speech of his presidency,” writes David Brooks: While rhetorically appeasing liberals, it “subtly staked out ground in the center” to win over moderates, making passage “much more likely,” he opines in the New York Times. Obama was firm in creating the “Dime Standard”: No plan can add “one dime to our deficits.” Bye, House plan. More»

Boorish foes steal show during president's speech

(NEWSER) - Rep. Joe Wilson was far from the only rude Republican at last night's joint session of Congress, Dana Milbank writes in the Washington Post. Shouts of "Shame!" and "Not true!" could be heard at various points, along with plenty of boos, hisses, and grumbles. Other GOP lawmakers waved handwritten posters during the addresses, or could be seen fiddling with their Blackberries as Obama spoke. More»

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»

Democrats may be headed for intra-party battle

(NEWSER) - House progressives have told President Obama that they “cannot vote for anything less” than health-care legislation with a “robust public option”—all but threatening a showdown if, as seems likely, the White House doesn’t push for a public plan, Talking Points Memo reports. The California lawmakers who head the Congressional Progressive Caucus have asked for a meeting with Obama to discuss the issue “as soon as possible.” More»