WASHINGTON (CNN) – At least one Democrat is rejecting efforts by House leadership to punish Rep. Joe Wilson for his controversial outburst on the House floor last week.
New Hampshire Rep. Paul Hodes, who is also running for Senate in 2010, said Tuesday that he will not support the "resolution of disapproval" against Wilson, which is scheduled to be voted on later today.
While Hodes called Wilson's actions "reckless and disrespectful," he said in a statement that "the focus on his outburst has served as a distraction to the larger goal of providing affordable, portable, high quality health care to every family."
"In my judgment, it's time to move on and I do not support this resolution," Hodes said. "We should not allow Mr. Wilson's reckless conduct to overshadow the need to work together to craft a strong health care reform measure that gives Americans lower costs, more choice, and real control in a fiscally responsible fashion."
From CNN Politics
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Now if you could get these blind Pelosibots to think clearly, let's move forward.
Political positioning for 2010, gotta love it!
This is a one common sense democrat that I would vote for!
Thank you, Rep. Hodes, for taking the high road. Let's hope others follow your lead. Let the Republicans censure Rep. Wilson. They would if they had any morals. This guy is their problem. His action was an embarrassment to them and they should be the ones to do something about it.
Joe appologized, The Pres accepted, drop it.
I agree. Despite Joe Wilson's inappropriate gesture we need to look past it and refocus on the task at hand and completing the Health Care bill.
Why punish Joe Wilson. That is the whole though behind his little twisted mind. The more news reporting he can gain the longer it will take to bounce him out of office next election. His type is in it for the publicity.
Good for Rep. Hodes! I'm a Democrat, and agree that what Rep. Wilson did was completely disrespectful. But our interests are not served by wasting valuable legislative time with nonsense resolutions scolding him. Congress should be focused on more imortant things, like health care negotiations!
Amazing! Some common sense coming from a democrat. He must be worried about the upcoming elections, or else he'd join the race-card-playing bandwagon that is tearing this country to shreds.
Democrats need to get a grip. This only give the GOP exactly what they want. Move on and get over it. The President did. I don't care what the congressman's thoughts are. He apologized. End of story.
Gee I wonder why no comments from democrats or republicans on this one. Must be because it makes sense. Nothing partisan for either side to seize and further devide the country. Wow a representative that makes sense, how odd.
Thank you Paul Hodes! Live Free or Die – NH!!
"We should not let his conduct overshadow our other work"
Nor should he be given the free pass so many waqnt for him.
Bad behavior must be corrected at the time of infraction, not later on.
Ask any parent about that.
What a crock.
What you are getting is a law requiring you to pay all you can "afford" to fat, greedy insurance execs for an insurance policy with a deductable so high you won't be able to afford health care.
Personally, I don't see the point. And I'm what you'd call a liberal. The dude apologized, sincere or not, and Obama accepted. Let it go and move on. Get back to governing. You know, your job. Have a nice day!
a smart congressman.get healthcare bill and send to the President.
Both candidates should donate their $ million to Health Care Reform!! Illegals are not covered! Wake up America! NO ER can refuse medical treatment! It is illegal and would be SUED! So we the taxpayer still pay. BUT NO ILLIGALS ARE COVERED! Obama won the election! The people voted for change! We understand now Obama meant ALL OUR CHANGE!
We need health care reform. Please do not let this rude idiot take up one more minute of your time!
The man apologized twice to the President, who graciously accepted. Didn't all congressmen/women promise to be upright and honest? Please liberals, go ahead and pass a resolution, I am begging you! The first on that reprimand list should be Rangel for tax cheating, not only is it against the house rules, it is against the LAW! Let's add all who booed and hissed at Bush, all who cheered the shoe thrower! Let's add Pelosi for lying about how she would clean up Congress! You see liberals, until you get serious about cleaning up your own messes, you're just blowing smoke! Let's even pull Jefferson out of prison for lying about bribes and cash in the freezer. Once you reprimand him, send him back. Only then wilI we know you are serious! Until then, "SILENCE IS GOLDEN"!
A Democrat who wants to keep his job in 2010!
How am I going to get ANY health care when millions and millions of new enrollees get in line in front of me?
Good. Don't give that worthless mook an credibility by turning him into a martyr.
I agree with Congressman Hodes, it would be another waste of time that would not accomplish anything. No matter what is done the republicans are going to battle health care reform, even though their plan is very similar to what is being offered. Joe Wilson is just another brain dead politician.
Good. There must be ways to marginalize this total, unmitigated loser from a state that seems to breed loser politicians without making him into a martyr. Stop making this into a media circus!
Congressman Wilson has done enough to "dig his own hole" – it seems to me that our country is best-served by moving on, and tacking the very serious issues ahead of us.
While I am also disappointed by race-baiting (from both the "right" and "the left"), I can't help but think if people like Congressman Wilson would be demonstrating such "great outrage" if the president were a white guy?