Posted on 09/10/2009 1:58:07 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Dem leadership wants formal apology from Wilson
By Molly Hooper - 09/10/09 02:10 PM ET
Despite Joe Wilson's personal apology to the president for heckling him as a liar during his address to Congress last night, there is growing discontent within House Democratic leadership ranks over Wilson's refusal to officially apologize on the House floor.
According to officials sitting in on a leadership meeting in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office Thursday afternoon, Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn (S.C.) told his colleagues that he approached Wilson - a fellow South Carolinian - three times during a vote earlier today asking Wilson to formally apologize for calling out "You Lie!" as Obama spoke in the House Chamber on healthcare reform.
It is against the House rules to impugn the integrity of the president when speaking on the floor or in committee meetings.
House leadership, including GOP leader John Boehner (Ohio), talked to Wilson during today's vote, which was kept open for a longer than normal period of time so that Wilson would have a chance to say "I'm sorry."
Despite Clyburn's efforts, Wilson refused to make an apology on the floor.
When asked about the conversation on the floor, Boehner told reporters that "he did have a conversation with Mr. Wilson. I'm not going to relay the contents of my private conversation with him."
As for whether Wilson should apologize in the chamber, Boehner responded "I think that Mr. Wilson made it clear that he said his behavior was inappropriate, and he apologized [to the President] for it. And I'm glad he did."
Though Wilson called the president last night to apologize for his outburst (which he insists was unintentional), Clyburn and other Democratic leaders, including top House appropriator Jack Murtha (D-Penn.), want to hear the normally mild-mannered conservative say the words "I'm sorry" to his House colleagues.
If not, the House "should take some action," said Murtha.
The House's second-ranking Democrat, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.) left open the possibility of pursuing formal action against Wilson.
Hoyer told the Hill that he would wait to see what Wilson would do but suggested that apologizing to the president was not enough. Hoyer said he was offended that a member of Congress brought "disrespect to the House of Representatives because the president was here as a guest of the House and Senate to speak at a joint session."
Earlier Thursday, Speaker Pelosi ruled out an official censure of Wilson. However, there are other options to pursue.
Clyburn's office is currently reviewing various action to take when a member of Congress breaks the House's code of conduct and may either draft a "resolution of disapproval" or pursue a reprimand of Wilson.
A reprimand is a punishment less serious than a censure but is more than a slap on the wrist, explained a leadership aide.
Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/58169-dem-leadership-wants-formal-apology-from-wilson
If not, the House "should take some action," said Murtha.
Jack "In cold blood" Murtha wants a conservative Republican to apologize. What a disgusting ass Murtha is.
Did Bush ever get a formal apology for democrats giving Klan Pink access to his speeches for the express purpose of disruption.
The democrats can screw themselves.
Because the Dems were prompt in their collective apology to Bush and the Republican caucus in the house/Senate after they booed Bush’s State of the Union address in 2005.
Tell them to drop dead Joe.
No more listening to the GOP leadership’s wishes. You were right, never apologize under that circumstance.
I sent Leader Boehner an email to express support for Wilson. Contact Leader Boehner
Wilson apologized before most of the Democrats were at home in bed with their secretaries.
But look to the Dems and soon the Washington Post to try and make this a “macaca” moment.
When is Obama going to apologize for hiring Van Jones?
When is the media even going to ask him how VJ got hired?
Aren’t these the same clowns that walked out of congress during clinton’s impeachment?
The lot of them can ESAD, and Wilson had better not apologize to the bastards period.
They should apologize, and hopefully one day we will make them apologize to us for all the damage, stress and anxieties, joblessness, etc. they caused as they are all headed to some Federal Penitentiary.
Actually, I’d like to receive an apology from the House leadership for their constantly lying to us.
WHAT???? Do they realize what a bunch of wussies they look like in asking for this?
Wilson already apologized for breach of decorum, bambi accepted, case closed. Anything more is just browbeating and I doubt Wilson will go for that at all.
I would like everyone who voted for Obama to apologize for aiding and abetting the enemies of the U.S.
The Repubs should make a deal with the Dems - if the Dems can find a clean Rep or Senator to ask for the apology, then Wilson will give it. That should keep things quiet:)
You take the opportunity offered to appear professional and reasonable, you apologize for saying the CORRECT thing at the incorrect time and at an inappropriate moment; and repeat that what you said was 100% correct (but said at the wrong time and place).
Hey Jack(ass)!!!
Here's some "action" you could take:
You could issue an abject, groveling, sackcloth-and-ashes apology to the Marines you slandered.
That would do some good.
Maybe.
A little, anyway.
You could resign your seat in the House of Reprehensibles.
That would do even more good.
Or you could at least STFU.
OBAMA WAS LYING AND AS A CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER HE SHOULD KNOW WHAT JUDGE NAPOLITANO JUST SAID.
As per the Constitution...illegals will have to be covered if the plan is to cover US citizens. I missed the name of the court cases that uphold this. It is about CLASS of citizens.
Tell you what, Joe Wilson can apologize when Murtha apologizes for smearing the Haditha marines.
How about “%$! you, a-hole”?
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