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."
From CNN Politics
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How dare he. He has no appriciation for our government or the president. I am a democrat that also believes many republican ideals as well. the simple fact of the matter is no matter what side left or right his comment is outragous and he must resign. In other countries he would be getting the death penalty. but he has taken advantage of the freedom of speech. My opinion is that we implicate the very bill he was in support of after 9/11 and detain him without cause indefinately under the patriot act. He discusts me. we are americans, and no matter the individuals politics this is outragous and we as american have to be better than that. We have to be better for the worlds sake and for ours.
I wonder why when this president tries to reach out to the republicans at every turn he's meet with so much disdain. It's so obvious that his ability to convey his message are threatening that they will do whatever it takes to make things difficult for him. "A change is going to come"!
Shameful, absolutely shameful. I have never witnesses such a lack of civility from any elected official. Grow up Mr. Wilson. Absolutely pathetic.
Apology NOT accepted Mr Wilson
Pack your bags and leave NOW ...
You obviously are not up to properly representing this country in the capacity for which you were elected
Don't let the door hit you on the way out ...
Wilson should step down. He is unpatriotic and unAmerican!! To disrespect your Commander in Chief as he did is totally and completely unacceptable. I have a funny feeling that the only good that will come out of that comment is that it will make Americans see what the right is really all about and let's not forget the next election cycle..........his Democratic opponent, no doubt, is smiling from ear to ear!!!
Too late. He already did the damage. Did he expect his rating to go up for such an outburst?
With all the ruckus that is happening because of the GOP and then the rr (conservative Christians) praying for President Obama to fail or die, while i never had any trust in their actions or policies, I certainly do not now.
I don't recall the Democrats making outbursts like this when Bush was president. I doubt it would have been tolerated.
The state of politics in our country has dropped to a new low. Personally, I've never really like either party because each seems more concerned about keeping power, stopping the other party from succeeding and little to no concern for the average citizen, of whom they were elected to protect and help.
GOP,
Too late. He already did the damage. Did he expect his rating to go up for such an outburst?
With all the ruckus that is happening because of the GOP and then the rr (conservative Christians) praying for President Obama to fail or die, while i never had any trust in their actions or policies, I certainly do not now.
I don't recall the Democrats making outbursts like this when Bush was president. I doubt it would have been tolerated.
The state of politics in our country has dropped to a new low. Personally, I've never really like either party because each seems more concerned about keeping power, stopping the other party from succeeding and little to no concern for the average citizen, of whom they were elected to protect and help.
GOP, I'll never support you in anything again.
Joe Wilson – more bad manners from the folks in South Carolina!
Some people just don't know how to be civilized.
On your poll numbers.....YOU LIE!!
Apologize to the Chief of Staff? What?????
He should; no, he must apologize to the President – publicly.
It's an outrage!!!!!! I'm still in shock.
Well, leave it to a Republican to scrape the bottom of the low-class barrel. Heckling the President – are you serious? Really? Congressman Wilson owes President Obama more than a simple apology.
I'm glad that Rep. Wilson apologized, but I am puzzled, since he had a copy of the speech and he knew what was coming. How could he make a mistake, and yell out something so insulting to the President of the United States? Had he written those words on his copy of the speech? Was he thinking he and some of his seat mates were all going to yell at the same time, but he was the only one that actually did it? Humph, no honor among thieves, or Republicans, I guess.
Just goes to show how low the party of NO can get. A pure lack of protocol. My 4 year son would have behaved better.
GOP – party of extremists.
This is exactly the problem with the Republican party. They don't care about America. Health care and the well being of humans needs to be a right not a commodity. Republicans are the same ones that keep trying to sell you WMD's in IRAQ and they are trying the same thing again on health care. If you buy into it Republican propaganda again, you are the biggest sucker in the world, and I have some ocean front property for you in Arizona. Even John McCain should understand that.
What a sad, sad day when the President of the USA is called a liar on the Floor of the Capital ! No Respect ! The Congressional Infant; and I say infant because a real man or woman who was elected to serve this country would NEVER act in such a unpatriotic, child-like manner, showed a dis-service to himself, his state and the country.
Why would anyone be surprised at Congressman Wilson's disgraceful behavior. South Carolina's GOP includes Mark Sanford (fornicator & liar), Thomas Ravenel (drug addict,) and Jim DeMint (dumbest member of the US Senate).
When will the state get rid of these idiots????
What do you expect of this neoconcoward jerk. No respect for the President because he is a typical white racist from South Carolina. Keep up the good work S.C. we don't have to worry about what kind of state you are.
never have I ever heard a member of congress be disrespectable. now this explains why some of our American citizens have showed up at town halls doing the same thing.
joe wilson, you have shamed your state, your republican party, and most of all yourself. don't bother about trying to run for re-election, you just ruin that for yourself. and your GOP buddies, they will stay far away from you.
Not only was that a disgusting display from a member of Congress, he was also wrong. The plans submitted by both houses exclude illegal aliens from coverage.
Sadly in the presense of prominent politicians, many have the ridiculous notion it is justifiable to disrepect the POTUS and those who elected a sore loser. Shut up and listen, just maybe you'd be able to control your impulsive and immature behaviour.
The Republicans during this speech were incredibly rude. Twittering, holding signs, and talking out loud and one yelling? When did our representatives become grade schoolers?
There isn't always a proper time to speak the truth. Personally, I admire Rep. Wilson. Good for you Joe!