Posted on 09/15/2009 8:21:43 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker
CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A U.S. representative's shouting down the president led to potential tourists canceling plans to visit South Carolina, state and local tourism officials said.
Out-of-state residents who said they've vacationed for years at Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and other resorts have e-mailed their destination sites to say they don't plan to return, McClatchy Newspapers reported. Last week, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., shouted "You lie" as President Barack Obama discussed his healthcare reform package during a joint session of Congress.
Wilson later apologized to Obama, but has been roundly criticized from both sides of the aisle. Marion Edmonds, a spokesman for the state's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said the agency received 147 e-mails from people who cited Wilson by name and expressed displeasure with his behavior.
"Some of them have been specific and said they won't be coming ... this summer for their family vacation," Edmonds said.
Bill Miles, chief executive of the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, said his organization drafted a response for people canceling travel plans to protest Wilson's outburst.
"To those who have discussed boycotting or not vacationing on Hilton Head Island: We hope you'll reconsider," the response says, in part. The chamber also suggested people contact Wilson directly and provided his congressional Web site, office address and phone number. Wilson spokesman Ryan Murphy told McClatchy Newspapers the congressman was urging people to visit the Palmetto State.
I vacation in SC every year.
Next year I’ll go back twice! Less Obamabots stinking up the beautiful state.
If they are Obama fans, than why would you want them polluting your state anyway?
Wilson’s Comments Spur Global Warming.
Bull hockey.
I simply don’t believe this. It was manufactured out of whole cloth.
147 emails? TOO textbookish. Someone wants to make an issue in the medias again...
Curious how many more people have ADDED Hilton Head to their list of travel destinations since Wilson spoke up.
Of course, the media will not dig deep to find out the answer to that.
In fact....NOW, since Joe Wilson told the truth....we’re adding his area to our soon to be LAYOFF/Retirement trailer trip.
Not as much as Obama’s comments earlier this year hurt Las Vegas, and the business travel industry in general.
Do they even care how utterly moronic & juvenile they appear to most of us?
Never been to South Carolina, but will be soon.
Oh, Barbara Streisand. Nobody changes vacation plans at the last minute over the remark of some politician; it’s too hard to get reservations and plane tickets on short notice to an alternative destination.
The people who would be offended by Wilson don’t vacation in S.C.
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