WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN's Deirdre Walsh reports that Republican Rep. Joe Wilson called the White House Wednesday night to apologize for his outburst during President Obama's speech, and spoke with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
UPDATE: CNN's Ed Henry reports that a senior administration official says that in the phone call, Emanuel accepted the apology on behalf of the president and told the congressman: "We can disagree without being disagreeable. That was the point of the President's speech."
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He should appologize to all of America. Beyond rude and disrespectful.
Good of him to apologize. I still can't believe that any elected official could be so disrespectful, especially on a nationally televised speech
What a Bozo. He shouldn't be allowed at future events. This is not the way we treat our President, regardless of our party affiliation. I'm embarrassed for South Carolinians.
I agree. This is the worst behavior I've see from anyone over 12 in a long time! Grow-up and do your job, Joe!
Wilson can keep his apology. He was totally disrespectful toward our President. He is only apologizing because no one is defending him and the negative press is overwhelming.
the republican uncivil and hate filled lies are showing.
if you cannot stand the truth use fear.that is the tool the republican have used in the past but proving to fail in this generation as in the general election and now seemly will fail as the health care bill is on its way to pass.
This disrespect shows the hate and bias that our President has to endure. When we lose respect for these offices what are we? Fanatics spreading rumours in town halls?
Has a President EVER been heckled in such an address before like this? This reeked of such classless grandstanding, the Congressman is not any better than the lunatics screaming Hitler accusations at Town Hall meetings!
Too little, too late. I can only imagine what would have happened had a Democrat heckled Bush during a joint session of Congress. Lush, Hannity and the other nutjobs would have called them traitors, Nazis, and proposed shooting them on site. Instead this Clown from SC will be all over FIX News and the Lush and Hannity shows and they'll be fawning all over him like he's a patriot...Absolutely disgusting.
Wonder how many times Rahm dropped the f bomb on the congressman? Bet he wishes he could have gotten right through to the President now, but I think that "open door" the President talked about, might be closed to him.
Wilson should be censored. You know his reaction came because he was one of those spreading the lies that president spoke about. You see, that is his way of campaining. I have a hard time grasping things nowadays. Parents not wanting their children to hear the President speak about striving to do well. There sure are some pickled minds about here.
Forget apologies, censure this disrespectful jerk. He is a 5 term Representative he should know better.
The Republican lack of respect is growing and it is abominable that is has been allowed to flourish for this long.
Good for him. It was tacky and stupid, but free speech is free speech and he has every right to act like a fool in front of the nation if he wants to.
He should resign.
Tonight.
Joe Wilson doesn't need to apologize and he shouldn't have done so. You can always tell that President Obama is lying because his lips are moving.
Fool. But as with Stanford he is a legend in the south.
He should still be censured – that was the most shocking thing I've seen during a presidential speech to a joint congress session. Utterly disrespectful and I bet he felt it was okay since the President was part of "them" not real Americans. Censure him.
Never heard of this guy till tonight. Amazing. With wingnuts like that in the House, we're all screwed.
Should have never happened..just hope his apology was sincere. He should be ashamed of himself.
Americans should be ashamed of this clown. He is so disrespectful that South Carolina should get rid of him for good. What an idiot!
Wilson should immediately resign from his office. His behavior was inexcusable!
This was over-the-top rude and divisive. I witnessed this type of thing from Republican citizens at our local healthcare forum hosted by our NY Congressman, John Hall – but I never expected to hear this on national television from a member of Congress. Shameful.
I bet Joe Wilson's IQ matches his age.
He came into the office on the votes of the illegals lobby and he will slip their coverage in after the bill gets to his desk.
I apologize as a South Carolinian for the idiocy that some of our politicians have shown over the past few months. The arrogance of some of these men is unbelievable. I don't know how they consider themselves public servants. Unfortunately, there are those who would re-elect them based on their buffoonery.