Curmudgeon's Corner

The Uproar Swells

Posted by Al Campbell on Sept. 11, 2009

Healthcare, Political, U.S.

Rep. Wilson (R-SC) called out during President Obama's speech on Wednesday evening, "You Lie".  The uproar began shortly after the end of the session and was, of course, tailor-made for the Democrats to pump life into and to sustain that life for so long as possible.  This is effective in re-directing any issues to the congressman and keeps them away from the President.  And, true to recent form, the Republicans proceeded to shoot themselves in both feet simultaneously.

This is not the first time sitting presidents have been booed or that raucous laughter has been heard during a speech.  It is the first time that a black president has been called out specifically by a single member.  There is, as we've all probably gotten so tired of, a certain 'order' that is observed by politicians.  Each refers to "my good friend" before excoriating that person in front of the press.  It is something that seems required of this 'club' we call congress.  This rule doesn't apply too often at the state level and is virtually unheard of at the county or local levels of politics.

So, while few are really trying to say the statement was wrong in its content, many are saying it was in bad form.

As to content, I'd invite your review of the Obama Speech Fact Check site hosted by The Heritage Foundation.

If the president didn't lie, he certainly was ill-informed or hadn't read much of what he talked about or was obfuscating in his speech.  This is an attorney, not an unintelligent man, and he doesn't strike me as being a careless or sloppy thinker.  Ruling those out, there seems an obvious conclusion, but I'll not say it for fear of coming under congressional fire.