WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Democrat hoping to unseat South Carolina congressman Joe Wilson in next year's midterm elections quickly seized on the Republican's shout of "You lie!" during President Obama's health care speech on Wednesday.
"Representative Wilson's behavior tonight exemplifies everything that is wrong in Washington," Democrat Rob Miller said in a statement provided to CNN. "Instead of engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our Commander-in-Chief, Joe Wilson should be working towards a bipartisan solution that makes quality, affordable health care available to each and every South Carolinian.
Miller added: "He owes both the President and the people of this district an apology for his embarrassing behavior during tonight's speech."
Wilson apologized to the president after the speech, calling his comments "inappropriate and regrettable."
Miller, a 13-year veteran of the Marine Corps, gave Wilson the toughest re-election challenge of his career last year in one of the country's most conservative congressional districts. Miller lost by eight points, and decided to challenge Wilson again next year.
National Democrats are also looking for a win: Wilson is on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's 2010 hit list.
Wednesday's commotion is likely to give both candidates a financial boost. Miller's supporters quickly took to Twitter and urged Democrats to support the campaign, while Republicans on the Web urged their readers to donate to Wilson.
Erick Erickson, the conservative voice behind RedState.com, called Wilson a "great American hero." South Carolina Democratic party chairwoman Carol Fowler, meanwhile, said Wilson gave the state yet another black eye.
"Once again a South Carolina Republican has embarrassed our state," Fowler said in a statement, making a nod to scandal-plagued governor Mark Sanford. "Never has any member of Congress shown such disrespect for the president during a speech."
UPDATE: Miller's campaign says they have raised $40,000 since Obama's speech ended tonight.
From CNN Politics
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Hey Miller,
Wilson was (is) right.
Shall I show you the HOUSE BILL that states it will be against the law (due to discrimination bs) to ask someone to show ciitzenship to enroll in the public (GOVT) Plan.
Well, Mr. Miller, if you don't validate citzenship, any fool can enroll, including.......DING DING Illegals.
How stupid are you?
You go Mr. Miller! The nation does not need the likes of Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Miller, let your campaign contact information be known nationally. You are about to get a boost in funding to run against this ignorant GOP hack.
Joe Wilson is a disgrace to S.C. I am ashamed to be from S. C. Joe Wilson has now joined the ranks of Mark Sanford.
Little late right now Joe!!!
TIME FOR HIM TO GO!!!
You go Mr. Miller! The nation does not need the likes of Mr. Wilson.
Lame.. this guy is.
The Democrat and former Marine is right. The Republican Joe Wilson should be ashamed of himself. He embarrassed himself, his party, and his state. Hopefully the Marine can unseat him and show him some manners.
Just how much longer do we have to listen to the republicans making complete fools of themselves and our country....they are a complete disgrace, and I'm ashamed of all of them.
I am a proud Democrat from the great State of Washington, and I'm going online right this minute to find out how to contribute funds to the campaign of Rob Miller so that this FOOL Joe Wilson will be thrown out of office in the upcoming election. What an embarrassment to the entire nation to have this dispicable breach of decorum occur at a joint session of the United States Congress. Inexcusable!
Vote him out y'all.. Vote his - outta there...!!! And when y'all impeach Sanford, then the fat lady will have sung in SC....
A 13 year veteran versus someone that puts politics before solutions.
I wish you only the best in your efforts to send this disrespectful – rude and embarrassing republican to the backwoods of wherever he calls home – He (wilson) has shown great dishonor to the insituiton that he serves in and the only honorable thing he can do is "RESIGN". He is truly the picture that you will find in the dictionary that describes republican and what it looks like.
It was totally disrespectful and I'm sure none of the other past 43 presidents (who just happened to be white) never experienced this. President Obama should have had him held on some sort of disorderly conduct charge. This is not how you protest ANY president. I resent it and I no longer have ANY respect for republicans. It was racist and very ignorant and he should be held accountable. I hope no republican is voted in again for the next 50 years. By then, I won't be around to see it.
Where can I donate to Rob Miller's campaign?
Can I vote for Rob Miller?????
I'm sure ActBlue will be assisting Miller....:)
Where do S.C. get all these clowns from, they are a disgrace to the state of S.C.
What an amazing President. God sir. MYou are truly a Godly man. May you fulfil your potential and restore some semblance of decency. Joe Wilson ought to learn something about decency and integrity from you.
That was the most disrepectful thing I have ever seen.
It is sad that we have endured the birthers, the death panel, the palin around with terrorist, the Nazi, the Socialist Commie and now this.
Some of these people who are racists who cannot digest an African American President. Sad, really sad.
How sad that we have such crude elected leaders. At the risk of promoting stereotypes, what has happened to southern white men? I used to think of them as gentlemen, but they seem extinct now. Let's hope for an apology and a more civil discussion.
The rest of the union is wondering, South Carolina, whats going on?
You have a Governor that is two stepping all over you, This Wilson Character with absolutly shameful manners, if his grandma aint beatin him, I hope his mother is......shameful.
And you People, South Carolina, rich in history and dignity......being lead around by your noses with these two idiots.....
When did sense and civility leave your State?
Maybe yall need to turn off the tube, maybe do a little book readin, catch up on civics 101.
Your Concerned friends, the rest of the Union.....(cept maybe Texas and Wyoming)
Joe Wilson is a typical politician in S.C. where there is so much corruption in S.C. politics. Has anyone checked his travel habits lately?Maybe he took a trip to Argentina too. That is the S.C. GOP for you.
Wilson will still win.
Well that moves South Carolina ahead of Alaska in the "Most Messed Up State in the Union" Sweepstakes. How humiliating!