Decorum

Breach Of Decorum A Boon For Bank Accounts: Neugebauer Going Joe Wilson Route To Raise Money

Christina Bellantoni | March 24, 2010, 2:19PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

Last fall, Rep. Joe Wilson of "You lie!" fame quickly went from persona not grata to conservative hero with millions in the bank. Seems like Rep. Randy Neugebauer is trying to become the right's next big money-maker.

Wilson (R-SC) acted out, then apologized, but quickly turned to the conservative base to raise tons of money from the national attention. Less than 24 hours after Neugebauer's confession and half-apology for shouting "baby killer" on the House floor, he recorded a video aimed at raising pro-life cash.

Sources close to Neugebauer told us it has nothing to do with the money -- and that the Republican wants to draw attention to advocacy on behalf of pro-life issues. But his video was beside a large "donate" button and this note, "Thank you for your support and contributions as I stand firm in my commitment against the government takeover of healthcare and for protecting the sanctity of life."

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Randy Neugebauer

Hoyer: No Further Action On Neugebauer, But GOPers Should Watch Their Tongues

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 23, 2010, 3:42PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters today that Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) has done enough to apologize for his "baby killer" outburst during the health care reform vote Sunday, though Hoyer cautioned Republicans that it was actions like Neugebauer's that helped lead to some of the darker moments during the final 48 hours of debate on the bill this weekend.

Asked about Neugebauer during his weekly briefing with reporters, Hoyer read Neugebauer's apology letter for the outburst, in which Neugebauer said he had not meant to single out Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) -- as it appeared to most listeners -- but instead was referring to the entire health care bill when he shouted during Stupak's explanation of his es vote. Hoyer said he accepted the explanation, and Neugebauer's apology, though he said he and most Democrats didn't hear the remark the way Neugebauer said he said it.

"He said he said 'it's', and I take him at his word," Hoyer said, adding, "I don't think we need to carry it any further."

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Decorum

DCCC Fundraising Off Neugebauer 'Baby Killer' Shout

Christina Bellantoni | March 23, 2010, 9:28AM

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) and Andy Wilson (D), candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (TX-19)

One thing looks certain -- Rep. Randy Neugebauer's outburst on the House floor isn't going to provide the same fundraising boost that Democrats saw after Rep. Joe Wilson's "You lie" shout. But the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is giving it a try, buying this Facebook ad to jump on whatever anti-Neugebauer sentiment might be out there.

DCCC spokeswoman Stephanie Young attempted to link Neugebauer with Wilson in a statement that said Republicans have abandoned "any pretense of civility." Neugebauer's district is solidly red, and his Democratic challenger Andy Wilson has not soared into the national spotlight in the same way South Carolina candidate Rob Miller (D) did following Wilson's shout in September.

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Randy Neugebauer

Neugebauer: 'I'm Never Gonna Quit Speaking' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | March 23, 2010, 9:22AM

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), who yelled "baby killer" during the health care debate on Sunday, posted a new video last night on his campaign's YouTube account, in which he stood by his attacks on the health care bill.

"I'm never gonna quit speaking on behalf of the people of Texas and the people of the United States of America that find this policy unacceptable," said Neugebauer. "And I will continue to speak with the same passion that I spoke last night -- maybe in a little bit different forum, but still with the same intensity. I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of support. But more importantly I want to thank you for the opportunity and honor of representing you in the United States Congress."

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Randy Neugebauer

Neugebauer: 'I'm Just Trying To Represent The People Of the 19th Congressional District' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | March 22, 2010, 6:32PM

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), who yelled out "baby killer" during the debate on health care Sunday night, said that he apologized to Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), making it clear that he did not intend to attack Stupak personally. But he stands by the substance of his attack on the health care bill, saying he represented the people of his district, as expressed in the town hall meetings from last summer.

"I called Congressman Stupak today, and I said, I just want you to know that my remarks were not directed to you personally, that they were about the policy that was unfolding," said Neugebauer, in an interview excerpt aired on CNN. "I said I was very disappointed in the vote where we had a government takeover of health care, and I was particularly disturbed with the fact that we were somehow brokering a deal with the White House where we put the lives of unborn children in jeopardy. And I just told him, I was speaking passionately. Some people thought I was directing those remarks at him. And I wanted him to be assured that I was not directing those remarks at him."

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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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Randy Neugebauer

Texas Rep. Neugebauer: 'I Exclaimed The Phrase 'It's A Baby Killer''

Eric Kleefeld | March 22, 2010, 1:57PM

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) has come forward and admitted that he was the one who yelled "baby killer" during the House debate on the health care bill last night.

In his statement, Neugeubauer said that he meant to refer to the bill as "a baby killer," not Stupak himself. That said, he has apologized to Stupak.

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