Polls

PPP Poll: Lindsey Graham Trails Joe Wilson In Possible 2014 Senate Primary

Eric Kleefeld | February 9, 2011, 8:40AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who has both bad-mouthed and praised the Tea Party movement in the past, isn't up for re-election until 2014. But when that comes, a new survey from Public Policy Polling (D) finds that Graham could be quite vulnerable in his Republican primary -- against Congressman Joe "You Lie" Wilson!

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Health Care

Republicans Claim To Have 'Repealed Obamacare' -- Except They Didn't

Brian Beutler | January 20, 2011, 10:14AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Republicans were pretty excited about yesterday's House vote to repeal health care reform. A bit too excited.

"WE JUST REPEALED OBAMACARE!" Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) tweeted in all caps, exhibiting the same exuberance with which he screamed at President Obama during last year's State of the Union address.

Sarah Palin aide Rebecca Mansour retweeted an ally who tipped his hat. "Governor Palin's hard work and sacrifice made today's repeal of ObamaCare possible. Please tell the Governor Thank You."

One correct response to these statements is, "YOU LIE!"

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Tea Party Caucus

House Tea Party Caucus Members Requested Over $1 Billion In Earmarks

Eric Kleefeld | December 2, 2010, 10:40AM

The Tea Party Caucus after its initial meeting on July 21

Hmm, something seems odd about the House Tea Party Caucus -- the group founded to promote cuts in government spending. As National Journal reports, a new study finds that the caucus' 52 members requested a total of more than $1 billion in this past Congress.

According to a Hotline review of records compiled by Citizens Against Government Waste, the 52 members of the caucus, which pledges to cut spending and reduce the size of government, requested a total of 764 earmarks valued at $1,049,783,150 during Fiscal Year 2010, the last year for which records are available.

"It's disturbing to see the Tea Party Caucus requested that much in earmarks. This is their time to put up or shut up, to be blunt," said David Williams, vice president for policy at Citizens Against Government Waste. "There's going to be a huge backlash if they continue to request earmarks."

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell

McKeon, Wilson Call For 'Comprehensive Oversight' Of DADT Report

Eric Kleefeld | November 30, 2010, 2:46PM

Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Reps. Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Joe Wilson (R-SC), who will hold key chairmanships on military policy in the next Congress, have released a joint statement on the Pentagon report calling for the repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military -- with these two House Republicans instead calling for "comprehensive oversight" of the recommendations.

McKeon will be the new chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Wilson will be heading up the subcommittee on Military Personnel. They note in their statement that they were briefed earlier today on the contents of the report, which said that there would be no serious disruption from an orderly repeal.

As McKeon says: "Today's briefing and the release of the Pentagon's report are the first steps in what should be a comprehensive process to study whether implementing these recommendations would undermine military readiness or negatively impact the war efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Wilson chimes in, as well, strongly opposing any effort to pass the repeal immediately, as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates called for: "Using the last days of a lame duck Congress to hastily repeal 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' would be highly irresponsible. Today's Pentagon report must be thoroughly examined by the committees of jurisdiction to determine potential impacts on military recruitment, readiness, and morale. Lawmakers and military leaders need to have as much information as possible before any action is taken on such a significant military policy."

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2010 elections

Rob Miller Ad Hammers Joe Wilson: 'I'll Never Outsource S.C. Jobs' (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | September 3, 2010, 6:00AM

SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D)

You can expect to see a lot more ads like this one from Democrats for the next two months. Rob Miller, running against Joe Wilson (R) of "You lie!" fame in South Carolina's 2nd Congressional district, today is going on television with this ad spotlighting voters worried about losing their jobs thanks to companies outsourcing to other countries.

TPM exclusively obtained an early copy of the ad, which is Miller's second of the cycle. Miller, who attracted national attention from eager Democrats after Wilson shouted at President Obama during his address to Congress in fall 2009, isn't hitting that controversy with this spot.

Instead, Miller slams Wilson for supporting the Central American Free Trade Agreement, saying that his rival voted for "an unfair trade deal that sent thousands of South Carolina jobs overseas." Workers from the 2nd district (where unemployment is 11.2 percent) each chime in, telling Wilson: "You lost touch with people here. Congressman Wilson: You ought to be ashamed of yourself."

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SC-02

Joe Wilson Loses Fundraising Edge Against Dem Opponent In SC-02

Jillian Rayfield | July 16, 2010, 3:13PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Joe Wilson raked in the cash when he shouted "You lie!" during President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress last fall, but it seems the wind has now gone out of that particular sail.

According to Wilson's new fundraising numbers from the SC-02 race, his Democratic opponent Rob Miller (D) has outraised him since the primary, putting them on roughly even ground when it comes to cash on hand.

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Joe Wilson

'You Lie' Spray-Painted On Joe Wilson's Campaign Office

Eric Kleefeld | June 17, 2010, 3:42PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

The campaign office of Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) has reportedly been vandalized, with the phrase "You Lie" spray-painted on a wall and campaign sign -- the same phrase that Wilson became famous for yelling at President Obama during a speech to Congress last September.

"We have no idea who did this," Wilson communications director Brian DeRoy told the local NBC station. "It's pretty obvious there's probably a fair amount of 'donkey dung' probably on this incident," DeRoy added -- a remark clearly reminiscent of Rep. James Clyburn's (D-SC) accusation that there was "elephant dung" tainting the state's Democratic primary.

The West Columbia police are investigating the incident. DeRoy also said that a similar act of vandalism occurred months ago.

(Via National Review)

House of Representatives

Top Dem Says Neugebauer Should Apologize To House For 'Baby Killer' Shout

Christina Bellantoni | March 22, 2010, 3:39PM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

House Majority Whip James Clyburn told reporters today that Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) should take to the House floor to apologize for shouting "baby killer" during debate Sunday night. Clyburn said the outburst - coupled with antics from protesters in the gallery above the chamber and Republican applause - is part of a growing pattern he worries will continue if it's not swiftly dealt with.

"That kind of stuff, it festers," Clyburn (D-SC) told TPMDC and several other reporters this afternoon following a brief signing ceremony for the health care bill. Clyburn said it was up to Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to demand Neugebauer make a formal apology to the House from the well of the chamber.

"He needs to take control of his conference," Clyburn said. "For these things to be isolated events, they must be isolated."

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State Of The Union

Best Behavior? Republicans Say They Expect No Disruptions Tonight

Christina Bellantoni | January 27, 2010, 2:42PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Will there be any Republican theatrics tonight during President Obama's State of the Union address? The question is buzzing around Capitol Hill.

TPMDC asked House Minority Whip Eric Cantor if he has given Republican members any direction about how they should behave tonight given Rep. Joe Wilson's shout of "You lie" during President Obama's last address to Congress in September. He said he hoped there would be no outbursts.

(Though Cantor (R-VA) told me last time around that Republicans would be "attentive." As we all know, that didn't happen.)

For his part, Wilson (R-SC) says he will be a "gentleman" tonight.

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Jim DeMint

S.C. Dems Blast Sen. Jim DeMint As Endangering Lives With Hold On TSA Nominee

Christina Bellantoni | December 29, 2009, 1:16PM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

South Carolina Democrats have wasted no time attacking Sen. Jim DeMint for blocking the confirmation of Erroll Southers to be administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, suggesting his moves have threatened the lives of "millions of American travelers."

DeMint (R-SC) had placed a hold on the vote to confirm Southers because he wanted to debate the nomination instead of approve it under unanimous consent.

Democratic leadership will vote on the nomination when they return from recess next month.

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Republicans

Top 10 Wild And Wacky Political Voices -- For Whom We're All Very Thankful

Eric Kleefeld | November 25, 2009, 6:04PM

Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rush Limbaugh

Here at TPM, we definitely have an eye for the weird -- and speaking for myself, I particularly enjoy the crazy stuff that right-wingers often say.

The American right often uses the rhetoric of a persecuted minority, even when they're actually in power. So having a Democrat in the White House, let alone a progressive black Democrat from Chicago named Barack Hussein Obama, has driven them to whole new heights (or lows, depending on how you count it) of rhetoric.

So let's take a look at some real stars of our current political rhetorical wars. The list is mostly Republican -- and you betchya that it was an obvious choice for the top spot -- plus one Democratic "Congressman With Guts" who gives the opposition a taste of their own medicine. We've got politicians, talk show hosts, and people who seem to be both at the same time. So sit back, and enjoy the crazy.

I'm certainly thankful to them -- for making my job a lot more interesting. If they weren't around, what would there be for me to write about?

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Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson A Hit At Capitol Hill Tea Party

Eric Kleefeld | November 5, 2009, 1:34PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), who famously yelled out "You lie!" during a speech to Congress by President Obama, just spoke to the Capitol Hill Tea Party, receiving massive applause immediately as he came to the podium.

"Speaker Pelosi didn't mean for you to be here," said Wilson. "In fact, back in July, Speaker Pelosi meant for the takeover bill to be passed, it was supposed to be over in July. But fortunately the American people found out, they found out that senior citizens were under attack, by squeezing senior citizens half a trillion dollars. Small businesses found out about the taxes that would virtually eliminate small businesses in the United States."

He also credited this past Tuesday's election in Virginia and New Jersey as a sign of the people making a difference already -- and talked about his own experience in New Jersey.

"And then, I know firsthand of the success of the people of New Jersey. On Sunday, I had the privilege to speak at the Morristown Tea Party," said Wilson. "Here I was, a friendly member of Congress from South Carolina, I was simply urging people to vote, to participate in the election to change the incumbent governor. It was sort of shocking, but later that day the incumbent governor asked me, and said I shouldn't have been in that state. But hey, I'm grateful, the voters of New Jersey acted, they produced change. Thank you for being here, we can make more change next year."

Joe Wilson

Rep. Joe Wilson Blames Obama For Vaccine Shortage -- After Voting Against Vaccine Funding

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 2, 2009, 11:24AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) says President Obama has endangered American lives by not doing more to alleviate the nation's short supply of H1N1 vaccine. In a new interview with the conservative-leaning CNSNews.com, Wilson says Obama's administration is "solely responsible" for the vaccine shortage, which he said are related to promises America made to donate vaccine to some foreign allies.

From the interview:

"The current administration is solely responsible. They can't blame this on any prior administration," said Wilson. "This is the responsibility of the current administration. They've put the lives of Americans at risk."

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NJ-GOV

Joe Wilson To Appear At Unauthorized Rally For Chris Christie

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 12:01PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), the right-wing hero who shouted "You lie!" during President Obama's speech to Congress, is headed to New Jersey this Sunday to get out the vote for Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie -- but Christie certainly won't be there.

The rally was organized by local Tea Party activists, not the Christie campaign. It will be held in the Republican stronghold of Morris County, which voted 54%-46% for John McCain even as the state went 57%-42% for Obama.

The rally's organizer pointed out that Christie won't be coming, even though "he's only going to be half a mile away."

It should be noted that Christie is not having Republican names known for their right-wing credentials campaigning for him in this socially liberal and Democratic state. He's sticking to safer names like Rudy Giuliani, or moderate former Governors Tom Kean and Christie Whitman. The most conservative he's going is Tim Pawlenty, who is much less scary to New Jersey than a guy like Wilson.

Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson Out-Raises Rob Miller By $1 Million

Eric Kleefeld | October 16, 2009, 9:43AM

SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

And the winner of the money race in the wake of Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) infamous "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress is...Joe Wilson.

Wilson raised $2.7 million in the third quarter, while his Democratic opponent Rob Miller -- who had initially enjoyed a big fundraising surge in the immediate aftermath of "You lie!" -- got $1.7 million. While Miller's total is certainly very impressive by all normal standards of House races, and especially for a race that had not been on anybody's radar before this controversy, Wilson's supporters clearly out-hustled the Dems on this one.

Miller, an Iraq war veteran, previously ran against Wilson in 2008. Wilson won that race by 54%-46%, after having previously won overwhelming landslide victories in his previous campaigns. Heading into 2010, voters will probably be seeing and hearing a lot from these two.

Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson Wants To Put Controversy Behind Him -- And Enjoys Activists' Support

Eric Kleefeld | September 28, 2009, 1:15PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) seems to be taking an interesting approach in the aftermath of his "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress: On the one hand he wants to put it all behind him -- and on the other hand, he does seem to be enjoying the limelight and the support of Republican activists.

Here's a report from the Beauford Gazette, of a Wilson visit to a local Republican event:

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson told members of the Hilton Head Island Republican Club on Sunday that he wants to "close the book on things that have happened in the past" -- hinting at his outburst during President Barack Obama's speech to Congress on health care reform -- and instead focus on health care and other issues facing the nation.

...

Wilson handed out "Let's Go Joe" stickers, while club members circled around and showered him with support. Many noted the array of signs for him at recent rallies and at the TEA Party March on Washington on Sept. 12.

He said that among his personal favorites were signs that said, "Joe Wilson, the Truth Tzar."

Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson To Headline Fundraising Event For GOP House Candidate In Michigan

Eric Kleefeld | September 24, 2009, 5:35PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), the man who became a star among conservative activists when he yelled "You lie!" during President Obama's speech to Congress, is hitting the road for another Republican politician.

Wilson will be traveling to Michigan, the Detroit Free Press reports, to headline a fundraiser for former Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), who lost re-election in 2008 and is seeking a comeback against Democratic Rep. Mark Schauer.

The Walberg campaign's official invitation for the event has a slogan underneath Wilson's picture: "Stand for Truth."

Schauer's spokesperson gave the Free Press this statement: "By embracing his former colleague, Tim Walberg has made it clear that he embraces what is wrong with Washington and is not serious about fixing our broken health care system. If you are the company you keep, then Tim Walberg stands with Joe Wilson and the obstructionists."

Health Care

Did the White House Give Joe Wilson Everything He Wanted? In a Word: Yes

Brian Beutler | September 17, 2009, 6:15PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) may have made a fool of himself when he screamed "You lie!" at President Obama during last week's epic health care speech. He certainly earned a slap on the wrist from the House of Representatives for it.

But, in the final analysis, did the White House basically reward his bad behavior?

The answer seems to be yes.

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VA-GOV

Deeds: It's "Crystal Clear" That Racism Involved In Some Opposition To Obama

Eric Kleefeld | September 17, 2009, 12:01PM

VA-GOV candidate Creigh Deeds (D)

At the Virginia gubernatorial debate just now, Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds just agreed that some of the opposition to President Obama is motivated by racism -- and he included Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) outburst during Obama's speech as an example.

After moderator David Gregory asked Deeds about the subject of racism, he responded: "I'd like to think in this country that we are beyond some things. But clearly, there is a hint of racism in some of the opposition to President Obama. That is crystal clear. I was very disturbed the other night at the outburst on the floor of the House. I thought that was unprecedented, and would not have occurred under past president -- and did not occur. I would hope we are broad enough as a people to be able to discuss our differences civilly."

Joe Wilson

Wilson's Fundraising At $1.7 Million Since "You Lie!" Incident

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2009, 4:29PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) is still doing quite nicely in fundraising. A Republican source tells me that Wilson's post-outburst fundraising has now reached $1.7 million.

This is up from Wilson's total from late Monday afternoon, when he was at $1.3 million in the time since the incident.

Fundraising totals for Wilson's Democratic opponent Rob Miller were not immediately available. On Monday, Miller was at $1.5 million in the post-outburst period.

Joe Wilson

New GOP Meme On Joe Wilson: Obama Started It!

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2009, 11:36AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

An interesting new pattern has emerged from some Republicans. Both during and after yesterday's House admonishment of Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) outburst of "You lie!" during President Obama's speech to Congress, GOP House members have been emerging to say that it was Obama who started the breach of decorum.

• After the vote was taken, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) declared on the House floor that Obama had insulted Congress, by saying that his opponents were lying about his health care proposals. "He comes in here talking about a lie ... He says we're making wild claims," said Gohmert. "That's no way to act when you're invited into somebody else's house."

It's interesting to see Gohmert take such a sudden interest in the gentlemanly etiquette of the House, considering how he too was heckling Obama during the speech -- albeit through the silent display of a sign, rather than shouting out:

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Joe Wilson

House Passes Wilson Disapproval Motion

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 5:35PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

The motion to disapprove of Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) outburst of "You lie!" during President Obama's speech to Congress last week has now passed in the House.

The numbers: 240 Yes, 179 No, and 5 Present.

Late Update: In terms of party breakdown, 12 Democrats voted No, and five Dems voted Present. In addition, seven Republicans voted Yes.

Late Late Update: The roll call vote is available here. The listing of crossover votes is available after the jump.

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Joe Wilson

House GOP Seizes Political Opportunity In Floor Debate On Wilson Disapproval

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 5:16PM

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)

In a clear sign that Republicans intend to turn the disapproval vote against Joe Wilson into a rallying cry for their own base, far more Republicans than Democrats have been speaking during the floor debate on the resolution.

The subject of their talk: That the American people are done with this and don't want to talk about it anymore. The message here is that the Dems are wasting time with the proceeding, and abusing their power to persecute Wilson.

"There is definitely a sense that House Republicans aren't dealing with the same hot potato they were dealing with on Thursday morning after the president's speech," a GOP leadership aide just told me. "The president's acceptance of Joe Wilson's apology has left the Democrats looking petty and possibly on the verge of overreach. The fact that White House has now adopted some of Wilson's policy proposals is evidence that this is no longer the political loser Democrats once thought it would be just a few days ago."

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Joe Wilson

Wilson: There Are Far More Important Issues Facing America Than What I Did

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 4:36PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) just took to the House floor -- and did not apologize again for his "You lie!" outburst.

"Mr. Speaker, 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," said Wilson. "The President said the time for games is over. I agree with the President. He graciously accepted my apology, and the issue is over."

"However, this action today will have done nothing for the taxpayers, to rein in the growing cost and size of the federal government. It will not help more Americans secure jobs, promote better education, ensure retirement, or reform health insurance," he continued "It is the Democrat leadership, in their rush to pass a very bad government health care plan, that is bad medicine for America. It has muzzled the voices we represent and provoked partisanship.

"When we are done here today, we will not have taken any steps closer to helping more American families afford health insurance, or helping small businesses create new jobs. The challenges our nations (sic) faces are far bigger than any one member of this house. It is time that we move forward and get to work for the American people."

James Clyburn

Clyburn Emerges As Lead Dem Against Joe Wilson

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 12:29PM

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

In the run-up to today's disapproval resolution against Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), it's become clear that House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) has taken the lead in pushing for the resolution, even over Speaker Pelosi's initial inclination to see that matter as closed. But it's also clear that Clyburn's push for a formal apology from Wilson is rooted in a long and troubled relationship between the most senior African-American politician in South Carolina and a four-term congressman who until recently was best known as a die-hard proponent of keeping the Confederate flag flying over the State Capitol in Columbia.

Indeed, the friction has popped up quite recently. Clyburn recently told the Washington Post that he was particularly incensed when Wilson held a town hall at a high school in Columbia -- which Clyburn says is in his district, and is the place where his children went to school. "He came into my district, the high school where my kids went, where I was an officer in the [Parent Teacher Association], and that was on purpose," Clyburn said. "That was as unethical as one can be, and he didn't say one word to me about it."

(Ed.Note: A search of Google Earth and the House site's district finder shows that the high school -- identified in the local media as having been W.J. Keenan High School -- appears to actually be in Wilson's district, not Clyburn's. At least that's what the nine-digit ZIP code seems to suggest. But it is in fact just a few blocks from Clyburn's house. Clyburn lives right near the district border, and we can probably take him at his word that his kids went there, that he served on the PTA, and that he didn't take kindly to a right-wing GOP House member holding a town hall at that particular venue.)

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Bob Inglis

GOP Rep. Bob Inglis: Joe Wilson Should Apologize To The House

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 10:13AM

Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC)

A Republican House member from South Carolina, Bob Inglis, is now calling on his fellow South Carolina GOP Congressman Joe Wilson to apologize to the House for his "You lie!" outburst.

Inglis has posted this one Twitter: "Just said to GOP Conference meeting what I said privately to Joe Wilson: apologize to House for rule violation."

He then followed it up with this: "Part 1: Joe Wilson apologized to President. Part 2: He should apologize to House for rule violation. That would end the matter."

And this: "Joe Wilson analogy: I speed, lose control of my car and hit your car. Part 1: I fix your car. Part 2: I pay my speeding ticket. Case closed."

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Joe Wilson

Steele Blasts Resolution Against Wilson: "Democrats Don't Want An Apology. They Want A Side Show"

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 9:46AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

RNC Chairman Michael Steele has released a new statement condemning the House Democrats' upcoming motion of disapproval against Rep. Joe Wilson -- which Steele incorrectly refers to as a censure -- in yet another sign that the Republicans are closing ranks around Wilson:

"In another stunning example of hypocrisy, congressional Democrats are wasting taxpayers' time and resources on a legislative measure to censure Congressman Joe Wilson so they don't have to talk about their exceedingly unpopular health care plan. Without question, Joe Wilson made a terrible error in judgment and has wasted no time in extending a personal apology to the president. The president has accepted his apology.

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Joe Wilson

Latest SC-02 Money Figures: $1.5 Million For Miller, $1.3 Million For Wilson

Eric Kleefeld | September 14, 2009, 5:01PM

SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

The money keeps rolling in for both Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and his Democratic opponent, Iraq War veteran Rob Miller, in the wake of Wilson's "You lie!" incident.

The DCCC just announced that Miller's post-outburst fundraising has now reached over $1.5 million, and has come from over 40,000 individual donors.

On the other side, the NRCC has announced that Wilson has received more than $1.3 million -- which means that there's definitely a market for "You lie!"

This also means that both candidates will be very well-financed for the 2010 election, in what should now be a race that will attract a lot of national attention.

Joe Wilson

Boehner To Vote 'No' On Resolution Disapproving of Wilson's "You Lie!" Incident

Eric Kleefeld | September 14, 2009, 3:17PM

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has released a statement, saying that he will oppose the Democrats' expected motion to admonish Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) for his "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress last week:

Rep. Wilson has apologized to the President, and the President accepted his apology. Last Thursday, Speaker Pelosi said that she believed it was time to move on and discuss health care. I couldn't agree more, and that's why I plan to vote 'no' on this resolution. Instead of pursuing this type of petty partisanship, we should be working together to lower costs and expand access to affordable, high-quality health coverage on behalf of the American people.

So the situation is now clear: Democrats will continue to pile on Wilson, while Republicans will circle their wagons and defend Wilson -- who is, of course, the new hero of the GOP grassroots. And for his part, Wilson will probably keep on doing his thing, if his Fox News Sunday appearance was any indication.