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Category: News Author : AHN Posted: September 11, 2009
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Defiant In Campaign Video, Wilson Says “I Will Not Be Muzzled”



joe wilson

With his challenger suddenly raking in donations and talk of a censure from the House, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) on Friday sought to portray himself as a victim, saying his outburst during President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress was “wrong” but that he “will not be muzzled” by liberals who “want to silence” the opposition.
In a 90-second video, the 62-year-old Republican said, “I let my emotions get the best of me on the critical issue of healthcare. It was wrong, and I apologized to the President shortly afterwards and he has acknowledge my sincerity. This occurred after a month of town hall meetings and deeply emotional conversations I had with constituents who are as passionate as I am about this issue, who fear a government takeover of healthcare will reduce the quality of care and increase the cost of coverage.”
“On these issues I will not be muzzled,” Wilson added. “I will speak up and speak loudly against this risky plan. The supporters of the government takeover of healthcare and liberals who want to give healthcare to illegals are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly conceived plan. They want to silence anyone who speaks out against it. They made it clear they want to defeat me and pass the plan. I need your help now. If you agree with me that the government-run health plan is bad medicine for America, then I ask for your support.”
Obama was speaking about illegal immigration Wednesday night when Wilson shouted “You lie!” while pointing a finger at the President. The gesture was met by a stream of tweets condemning the congressman as a “jerk” and “bumbling idiot,” as well as supporting him for “speaking the truth.”
Wilson’s Wikipedia entry was also suddenly locked “due to vandalism,” while his official Website inaccessible and “down for maintenance.” His Wikipedia entry is still locked and his House Website now says, “Due to exceptionally high traffic, this site is temporarily unavailable.”
More significant, the Democratic candidate for congressman’s seat in next year’s elections, former Marine Rob Miller, has received over $400,000 in campaign contributions since the outburst, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Some lawmakers are also said to be pushing for the House to censure him, a move that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) did not support in her weekly press briefing.
Wilson, a former state senator and U.S. Energy Department deputy general counsel during the Reagan administration, released a statement that same night saying he regrets for letting his emotions get the best of him. He also tried to phone Obama to apologize but his call was received by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
The President had said late Thursday after a Cabinet meeting he accepts Wilson’s apology but that “we have to get to the point where we can have a conversation about big, important issues that matter to the American people without vitriol, without name-calling, without the assumption of the worst in other people’s motives.”
Obama’s Wednesday speech was his second before a full Congress since assuming office. During the address, he reiterated an overhaul of healthcare will not increase the deficit, nor insure illegal immigrants, nor use taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. He shot down the allegation about “death panels,” calling it “a lie, plain and simple,” and those who propagate it “[people] whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost.”
The President also urged lawmakers to “stop bickering,” and called on all stakeholders to be receptive to alternative ideas but also emphasized his support for a limited public option plan that will cover less than 5 percent of Americans.
A public option is a government-run, voluntary healthcare program that will compete with privately funded insurance by offering cheaper coverage.
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs this week explained, “For 160 to 180 million Americans that get their insurance primarily through their employer, the public option will not in any way affect them. What we’re talking about is the increased choice and competition that is needed in the individual and small business market that often is dominated in many areas and states in the country with only one insurance carrier.”

With his challenger suddenly raking in donations and talk of a censure from the House, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) on Friday sought to portray himself as a victim, saying his outburst during President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress was “wrong” but that he “will not be muzzled” by liberals who “want to silence” the opposition.

In a 90-second video, the 62-year-old Republican said, “I let my emotions get the best of me on the critical issue of healthcare. It was wrong, and I apologized to the President shortly afterwards and he has acknowledge my sincerity. This occurred after a month of town hall meetings and deeply emotional conversations I had with constituents who are as passionate as I am about this issue, who fear a government takeover of healthcare will reduce the quality of care and increase the cost of coverage.”

“On these issues I will not be muzzled,” Wilson added. “I will speak up and speak loudly against this risky plan. The supporters of the government takeover of healthcare and liberals who want to give healthcare to illegals are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly conceived plan. They want to silence anyone who speaks out against it. They made it clear they want to defeat me and pass the plan. I need your help now. If you agree with me that the government-run health plan is bad medicine for America, then I ask for your support.”

Obama was speaking about illegal immigration Wednesday night when Wilson shouted “You lie!” while pointing a finger at the President. The gesture was met by a stream of tweets condemning the congressman as a “jerk” and “bumbling idiot,” as well as supporting him for “speaking the truth.”

Wilson’s Wikipedia entry was also suddenly locked “due to vandalism,” while his official Website inaccessible and “down for maintenance.” His Wikipedia entry is still locked and his House Website now says, “Due to exceptionally high traffic, this site is temporarily unavailable.”

More significant, the Democratic candidate for congressman’s seat in next year’s elections, former Marine Rob Miller, has received over $400,000 in campaign contributions since the outburst, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Some lawmakers are also said to be pushing for the House to censure him, a move that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) did not support in her weekly press briefing.

Wilson, a former state senator and U.S. Energy Department deputy general counsel during the Reagan administration, released a statement that same night saying he regrets for letting his emotions get the best of him. He also tried to phone Obama to apologize but his call was received by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

The President had said late Thursday after a Cabinet meeting he accepts Wilson’s apology but that “we have to get to the point where we can have a conversation about big, important issues that matter to the American people without vitriol, without name-calling, without the assumption of the worst in other people’s motives.”

Obama’s Wednesday speech was his second before a full Congress since assuming office. During the address, he reiterated an overhaul of healthcare will not increase the deficit, nor insure illegal immigrants, nor use taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. He shot down the allegation about “death panels,” calling it “a lie, plain and simple,” and those who propagate it “[people] whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost.”

The President also urged lawmakers to “stop bickering,” and called on all stakeholders to be receptive to alternative ideas but also emphasized his support for a limited public option plan that will cover less than 5 percent of Americans.

A public option is a government-run, voluntary healthcare program that will compete with privately funded insurance by offering cheaper coverage.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs this week explained, “For 160 to 180 million Americans that get their insurance primarily through their employer, the public option will not in any way affect them. What we’re talking about is the increased choice and competition that is needed in the individual and small business market that often is dominated in many areas and states in the country with only one insurance carrier.”

[Image: Palmetto Scoop]



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