April D. Ryan

Inside the Beltway, they want to elevate the conversation on Health Care Reform without distraction. South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson has apologized for his outburst calling the President a liar. White House Officials and the Republican Party want an end to the story as President Obama accepted Wilson’s apology. But, it may not be that easy. Many are still calling for some sort of punishment for Congressmen Wilson. Below, the unfolding story in video.

I ran into Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the West Wing.   He confirms the phone conversation with Republican Congressman Joe Wilson after the president’s speech.   Emanuel says he and Wilson are “friends” and they have “known each other for years.”   Emanuel and Wilson served in the United States Congress together.   Of the conversation,  Emanuel says Congressman Wilson issued an apology and it was “accepted.”   Asked if the president will meet or talk with Wilson,  Emanuel says “no!”    He went on to say while checking his blackberry, the situation is “over and it is time to move on.”  White House officials contend the issue is over and Emanuel accepted the apology on President Obama’s behalf.    Political observers believe the Wilson outburst is galvanizing the Democratic Party around Health Care Reform and is also engaging the black community in the debate.

South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson has issued a written apology for shouting “liar” during President Obama’s Health Care speech. Here is the Statement Wilson’s office issued after the speech. 

Wilson Statement On President Obama’s Joint Address to Congress

WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) issued the following statement this evening regarding a comment he made during President Obama’s speech to Congress.

Following the President’s speech, Congressman Wilson called the White House to personally apologize to President Obama. He spoke with Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and expressed his apologies.

“This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”

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Democratic sources on the Hill say Republican Congressman Joe Wilson’s outburst has given President Obama a boost.  Hill insiders say blacks are upset with Congressman Wilson’s actions and engaged like never before on Health Care Reform. The sources also contend it has galvanized the President’s base that has been lack luster recently.

Here is just one of the articles out on the outburst: From CQ Politics

Clyburn: Wilson’s an Embarrassment to S.C.
By Jonathan Allen | September 9, 2009 10:53 PM |
House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn slammed fellow South Carolinian Joe Wilson for the Republican’s outburst at President Barack Obama during his address on health care.

 
“Lie! You lie!” Wilson shouted at the president during a passage of the speech in which the president said illegal immigrants would not be covered by his health care plans.

 
Clyburn said the episode was as disgraceful — if not more — as Gov. Mark Sanford’s revelation that he traveled to Argentina to conduct an extramarital affair when state officials believed he was on vacation in the nearby Appalachian Mountains.

 
“I thought he [the governor] had embarrassed us as much as we could be embarrassed. But to have a congressman use the floor of the House of Representatives in a joint session to insult the president the way Joe Wilson did is as embarrassing as anything anyone could think of,” House Majority Whip James E.Clyburn, D-S.C., said. “Our state can do without this.”