Rarely, if ever, have so few words moved so many people to contribute so much money so quickly.
Within 15 hours of Republican Representative Joe Wilson yelling “You lie!” at President Barack Obama, Wilson’s Democratic foe in next year’s election received more than 10,000 donations totaling upward of $350,000, according to the House Democratic campaign committee.
“And the numbers are still rising,” a spokesman said.
Wilson’s Democratic challenger, Rob Miller, an ex-Marine turned small businessman, lost a bid last November to unseat the now five-term congressman from South Carolina, 54 percent to 46 percent.
But Miller has suddenly become increasingly hopeful that he can topple America’s best known presidential heckler in the November 2010 contest.
“Representative Wilson’s behavior tonight exemplifies everything that is wrong in Washington,” Miller said on Wednesday after Wilson’s outburst during Obama’s nationally broadcast address to Congress on healthcare reform.
“Instead of engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our Commander-in-Chief, Joe Wilson should be working towards a bipartisan solution that makes quality, affordable health care available to each and every South Carolinian,” Miller said.
Wilson apologized while congressional Democrats as well as fellow Republicans denounced his actions.
At the White House, Obama brushed off the matter. “I’m a big believer in that we all make mistakes,” he said. “He apologized quickly and without equivocation and I’m appreciative of that.”
While Wilson said he was sorry, he still insisted — despite Obama’s statements to the contrary — that illegal immigrants would be able to get health insurance coverage. “I say that respectfully and we need to discuss the issues,” Wilson told reporters.
Pending legislation denies coverage to illegal immigrants. But critics argue that requirements of proof of citizenship are inadequate.
The Democratic campaign committee hoped to cash-in on the Wilson furor. It sent a letter to donors on Thursday, citing Wilson’s famous one-liner — and aiming to raise another $100,000 in 24 hours to defeat Wilson and other Republicans in next year’s election.
“Your contribution will be immediately put to work to defeat Republican members of Congress and support meaningful health insurance reform,” wrote Jon Vogel, executive director of the House Democratic campaign committee.
Click here for more Reuters political coverage
Photo credit: Reuters/Cheryl Ravelo (dollar bills at a money changer in Manila)
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People have the right to their own opinion.
- Posted by LindaReumRep Robert Wilson shouted “You Lie”. when Obama said that the bill specifically says that Illegel Immigrants will not be covered with Health Care Reform. This is what the Bill says, but the people writing the bill and the President Lied and they should know better.
The U.S. Constitution states that any person living in the United States must be given the same rights and benefits as any other person living in the United States. When the Constitution was written there were NO Immigration Rules or Restrictions. All people are to be treated equal. The President and the Congress should know what is written in the Constitution. The President is a Constitutional Lawyer and He should know.
- Posted by Carl AntrimMr. Wilson was grandstanding at the expense of his congressional colleagues. He is going to loose his election, no matter how much money he generates. Barely concealed bigotry, disrepect, emotional outburst, lack of self control are the things that make up Joe Wilson’s life. He should remember that each of us has thirty two guardians to quard one loose tongue. Mr. Obama is the President of The United States. If Mr. Wilson can’t show respect to the Office of the President, then perhaps he should return back to South Carolina. Oh and by the way, sections of the certain bills that the ole boy voted for do provide care for illegal aliens. We as Americans may not want to pay more taxes, but we have never turned our back on those requiring emergency medical services or help. We are after all, Americans! I am proud, and this is the proudest boast of freemen anywhere on the globe. Mr. Wilson, you were rude and should apologize to your colleagues, after all, you were out of line and very rude.
- Posted by barrett haysMore Republican lies. Lets compare some bills. In 2003 the Republicans, including Joe Wilson, voted for the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. Section 1011 states,
“$250 million are appropriated for each fiscal year, 2005 through 2008, in additional
federal funding for emergency services to undocumented aliens, to be paid directly to
providers”
The Democrats bill HR3200 section 246 states,
“NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS. Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”
It’s amzing how the Republicans can fool half the country into believing their lies. Just more proof of how stupid Americans are. Maybe the Democrats should have set aside $250,000,000 a year for illegal immigrants healthcare, just like the Republicans did in 2003.
- Posted by DanielDo the teabagging patriots who support Joe Wilson know they are sending their hard earned money to support a socialist? In 2003, Joe Wilson voted to provide federal funds for illegal immigrants’ healthcare. The vote came on the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which contained Sec. 1011 authorizing $250,000 annually between 2003 and 2008 for government reimbursements to hospitals who provide treatment for uninsured illegal immigrants. Whoops!
- Posted by getplaningObama lies?
- Posted by Z.A.I believe that for eight years we were submerged in the lying and deceit of a REPUBLICAN president. Only now are we learning of the ways he manipulated others and lied to the American people. I don’t think the republican party should be advocating a policy saying that the democrats lie. Especially after half the candidates who were to run for 2012 office against Obama have various LYING scandals afloat. (ex: sanford, corruption charges against palin and ofcourse the infamous dick cheney and the lies he told the american people)