Joe Wilson's Challenger Rakes in $200K

But 'You lie' rep's foe raises $750K, leads in poll

(NEWSER) - Joe Wilson has raised more than $200,000 since he shouted "you lie" during President Obama's speech Wednesday—but his Democratic opponent has pulled in more than three times as much, CNN reports. Even worse for the Republican, opponent Rob Miller leads the incumbent, 44%-43%, in a poll conducted after the outburst. And two-thirds of Wilson's constituents say they disapprove of his actions, the Chicago Tribune reports. More»

Steve King, Louie Gohmert not far behind among fringe congressmen

(NEWSER) - A week after releasing its Senate Wingnut Index , the Daily Beast investigates wingnuttery in the House. Using a “semi-scientific” process to identify the most extreme members on both sides of the spectrum, the site ranks them:

1. Michele Bachmann (R-MN): From calling the president “anti-American” to warning of tyranny, “Bachmann has become a symbol of all things Wingnutty in American politics.”

(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." More»

As a National Guard retiree, SC rep is set for life with TRICARE

(NEWSER) - Consistent with his “You lie!” outburst the other night, Joe Wilson’s campaign website loudly proclaims he's “PASSIONATE ABOUT STOPPING GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE!” That sentiment would ring truer if the congressman weren't the beneficiary of what he calls “world class” government-run health care, Adam Weinstein writes for Newsweek. As a retired Army National Guard colonel, Wilson is set for life—as are his four sons, who've also served in the military. More»

Joe Wilson not wrong about Obama wanting to insure illegals

(NEWSER) - Give Joe Wilson a break. It’s hard to fit the complexities of policy into an outburst during a presidential address, but the South Carolina congressman has a point: If you connect two of President Obama’s top policy priorities, he does want to give insurance to illegal immigrants. It’s just that he’ll make them legal immigrants first, writes Terence P. Jeffrey, editor-in-chief of the right-wing CNS. More»