Boehner: Wilson resolution a 'diversion'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/15/art.boehner.gi.jpg caption="Boehner: Wilson resolution a 'diversion'."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - House Minority Leader John Boehner told CNN a resolution of disapproval against South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson is a "diversion" to help Democrats avoid talking about health care.
Many Democrats have attacked Wilson for yelling "you lie" during President Obama's address to Congress last week, and the House is expected to vote on a resolution Tuesday disapproving of the Republican lawmaker's conduct on Tuesday afternoon. Boehner called Wilson, who has since apologized, a "good man" and said that he was "thankful that the president accepted his apology."
"This tactic on the floor today is nothing more than a diversion so that they don't have to talk about their government run health care plan," Boehner told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "I just think we ought to be talking about what the American people sent us here to do, and that's to solve the issues they're concerned about."
Boehner said that if a Democrat had shouted the same thing during one of former President Bush's speeches and later apologized to the White House, "that would be the end of it."
As a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll shows support for the war in Afghanistan at an all-time low, Boehner said he hopes Obama "will continue to listen these people on the ground" in his decision on whether or not to send more troops.
"Listen to their recommendations. They're the people who are there and I just believe that walking away from Afghanistan would be a giant mistake for our country," Boehner said. "I've supported the president's initiatives both in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and I'm hopeful that the president will continue to listen to these people on the ground as he comes to a decision."
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"......to help Democrats avoid talking about health care."
Is this nut for real? The Democrats are the ONLY ones talking about healthcare reform. Republicans are simply opposed, so they say nothing constructive. The Republicans are just spreading lies to generate fear.
Obstructionists... that is all they are..
Leave it to boehner to disagree-does he ever agree on anythng. It was appalling what Wilson did. I wonder what other countries that were watching must be thinking about americans. Itwas no okay to throw a shoe at Bush yet it's okay to call President Obama a liar. Boehner needs to lay off the tanning bed.
The Republican party is a diversion....one that lies to their constituents about very serious matters. Boehner completely lost my respect with the comments about reform leading to "euthanasia". He is clearly bought by the insurance lobbiests.
What else would you expect Bonehead Boehner to say? If it were a democrat who made that remark, the republicans woudl be doing the same thing. This resolution isn't to divert from the national talk, but to hold an elected official ACCOUNTABLE.
Boehner's spin speech is the "diversion."
Joe Wilson should have apologized to the President on the House floor not because his party told him to, not because the Dems wanted him to, but because it would have been the right thing to do.
Wilson used to work for the known racist Strom Thurmond-do you really think he would have called a white president a liar on the floor of the House? I think race has much more to do with this than anyone is willing to admit. If our congressman don't show the Office of the Presidency the respect it deserves, how can we expect the rest of the country to do the same?
I feel that he is trying to protect his own and is looking thru rose colored glasses for his own political gain.
No Bonehead, Republicans are a disaster.
Why are you wasting your time campaigning for a man that disrespected the highest elected office in this country? I'll tell you why, because you have nothing better to do then to support terrorists.
If they feel that disrespecting the President is fine, then why are they not rallying around the shoe thrower and praising him as a living hero? Because republicans are Hypocritical dirt bags is why.
When is the Boner going to quit crying??
I appreciate the fact that someone in congress realizes what they are there to do, and it's not to take a vote and resolve to disapprove of someone's actions. I think we all know that they disapprove...by bringing it to a vote they are acting like children on a playground with nothing better to do. Maybe they can get back to work soon on the real issues, unless someone wants to offer a counter resolution on why we should continue the distractions.
Give me a break, congress.
Congressman Boehner and a large majority of Republicans, Conservatives and network personalites fail to realize that to many African Americans and too even more people around the world Barack O'Bama's Election to President was not just a black accomplishment but an American Accomplishment. The way the Republican Machine threats this President is offensive. 200 years in the waiting for America to mature over the race and color and they hide behind and snipe. This is truly disrespectful and a sham by any Republican who doesn't consider it offensive. Why don't we all go to public forums and scream liar. That gets things accomplished. Heck, let's carry guns and pretend the party's elected official isn't American. Better yet, examine the ugly history of race in the United States, ignore it and say you're Republican!
Congress' doesn't have just one job. Apparently Mr. Bohener thinks that it is okay for the OUT OF CONTROL Republican party to digrace and disrespect the American President on national television which is viewed by the WORLD!
Mr. Wilson was out of control and now he will pay the consequence. Perhaps he should get some anger management counseling.
Additionally, Mr. Wilson WILL LOSE RE-ELECTION next year. Ever since his disrespect, the Democratic contender has raised 1 million dollars compared to Wilson's 200 thousand.
Mr. Wilson, you have sealed your fate! You will lose!
It's very evident the Republicans have NO INTENTION of EVER admitting WRONG-DOING! They have NO RESPECT for the rules and regulations of our Constitution, and to think they are trying to convince the American people, it is O.K. to bend the rules and allow disruption in the Congressional Meetings! IT'S TIME TO CALL MR. WILSON OUT, AND PUNISH HIM!! I can only imagine what will happen at the next Meeting of Congress if this resolution is not approved!
Congressman Boehner and a large majority of Republicans, Conservatives and network personalites fail to realize that to many African Americans and too even more people around the world Barack O'Bama's Election to President was not just a black accomplishment but an American Accomplishment. The way the Republican Machine treatss this President is offensive. 200 years in the waiting for America to mature over the race and color and they hide behind and snipe. This is truly disrespectful and a sham by any Republican who doesn't consider it offensive. Why don't we all go to public forums and scream liar. That gets things accomplished. Heck, let's carry guns and pretend the party's elected official isn't American. Better yet, examine the ugly history of race in the United States, ignore it and say you're Republican!
Boner needs to get a grip! Wilson is a disgrace and should be punished. Wilson was totally out of line and disrespectful to the Office of the President of the United States of America!!
Personally, I would like to see him apologize for over-using tanning cream.
The Dems don't want to talk about many things – health care, the budget, Charlie Rangel, ACORN, the deficit, GoldmanSachs, bailouts, or that unions have become cash cows for a few and lost sight of the workers they were supposed to protect.
The initial apology should have been enough. His conduct was inappropriate but funny. The Liberal leaders and Media are using this to distract the Obama following sheep. If I was a Democrat I would be insulted they've taken more time to delve into Joe Wilson than they have to read the Health Care Bill!
Can not all of the GOP just pack up and move to Texas and leave the rest of us alone? Those of us who live life by doing the right thing not living life to do the right party thing?
Those of us who live a Christian live based on the words of the Bible not the altered, self-serving, me-first, aquire wealth, GOP version of the Good Book. "It's harder for a rich man to get into heaven than a camel thru the eye of a needle." Wow. I wonder why that is in the Bible?
It's deeds not words my friends and these people have yet to figure that out. Faith is not a medal, faith is from the heart. We are our brothers keeper weither Rush Limbaugh and the GOP like it or not!
Support the disrespectful in this case because he's a republican. Where on earth is that the correct view on this nonsense. The man behaved like a spoiled, rude, immature child and yet ............ he's a republican that's O.K.
Please..... Just go away with your 24/7 political moves and plays and verbage.
Huh???? The GOP spent all summer yelling and screaming and doing everything in their power to avoid talking about health care, now they're condemning a resolution because it won't let them talk about health care?????
Maybe what Boehner's angry about is that this distraction will only last a few minutes, and he would've preferred an extended disruption lasting a few days or possibly weeks.
Another useless procedure by Pelosi. Please California, retire her in 2010.
All of this crap about the apology IS a diversion. The business of trying to make it a "race" issue only demonstrates the desperation of the Democratic party - inspite of the media support for anything and everything that they want to do - they are being challenged - by grass roots efforts - so what do we get? CNN with "pundits" who are clearly biased in favor of the Democratic agenda - well the public isn't buying it - regardless of what you "report". Starting with the stimulous package – the budget– etc. the Dem's have engaged in "in your face" politics - and now they demand decorum? Bull - the country is in desperate shape - which calls for desperate measures. The only way for a Republican to get his view out there is to shout it out - the media has Obama on TV at least 4 or 5 times per week.
boner is the king of diversions..he should know.
Boehner is really unbelievable. He has done all he can to make sure that the congress do not do the people's business.
I hope he does not get reelected along with Wilson. We have had enough of the GOP fear/hate/do not do for the people.
Sir, Is not Rep. Wilson the diversion?