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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Are they not the rules of the House of Representatives that he should be admonished?
Same old stuff from you Johnny Boy, rules only apply to the Democrats!
What is the purpose of this resolution, given the guy already apologized?
My guess: he was telling the true in his (inappropriately timed) remark, and our representatives cannot take it when one of them is actually telling the truth and not lying like the rest of the, so here is the reason for not approving this guy's remark!
I see no reason for an apology to the house and senate, Where were the apologies when President Bush was booed time and time again and also called a liar. I say we go back to the days when the president was questioned on the spot instead of having a constant tel-promter guiding his way. The British Govt. have it right.
No Boehner, you need to talk about showing Joe Wilson the door.
Another sadly delusional Republican. So confused he is. Does he realize that he is the one that doesn't want to talk about health care reform?
Joe Wilson disrespected the Presidency, and the House of Representatives, period. His apology to the President was a sham and he owes an adequate and respectful valid apology to both.
The only stunt is that of Boehner and his Repugs are trying to halt any health care reform or for that matter anything that the current Administration is trying to do. YOU are responsible in large part for the events that happened, and you don't care about what will happen if nothing is done to correct these events.
You lost, get over it.
I think that if I yell atmy high school principal "you lie" while he's giving a speech that I would be sent to detention as a minimum... This is not about health care at all, it's about the respect that is crealy absent towards Obama's white house. If Wilson is not dealt with, can I yell at my principal during his speeches??
The GOP has a boner for rude outbursts. Now we can expect citizens to follow the lead of Wilson by exercising their "free speech rights" with rude outbursts while Boner and Wilson are talking at public events. If Wilson doesn't like being yelled at then he can start by truly expressing his remorse instead of making excuses and doing opportunistic fundraising based on his bad behavior.
NO orange man you are
What is in it for Boehner to defend Joe Wilson? Too bad cronyism has such negative effects in Washington.
This fool has been sitting in the sun so long his brain has shriveled into a raisin. Its no diversion. Dems will take care of reprimanding him then we can move on. I can put health care reform on hold for a day or two to witness this well deserved beat down..
They are talking about what Americans want you fool. You and your gang of No Sayers are the ones who aren't.
Then you say you will come. " Will" where have you been? This has been going on for months. Maybe another 15 page pamphlet.
Wilson has been proven wrong by all the Truth squads.
You liberals are IDENTICAL to Islamic radicals!
When Danish newspapers ran cartoons of muhammad – muslims went bizerk. Yet not ONE peep from the Islamic community over the thousands of innocent women/children killed by suicide bombings.
When the "prophet" Obama was ridiculed by Joe Wilson – liberals are bent on his removal, public humiliation, etc. But if liberal organization ACORN is busted for promoting child prostitution and tax evasion – not ONE peep from you libs.
Sad – you are so sad.
That's the problem, Mr. Behner, you AREN'T doing what the American people sent you there to do......
If the Republicans could just manage to control their own (Tom Foley, Joe Wilson, Mark Sanford etc., etc., etc.), take responsibility for the results of their actions (the botched war on terrorism and failing to bring bin Laden to justice), and clean up their own messes (the Republican-created Recession and Deficit)... we wouldn't need the Democrats.
As it is now, the Dems are the only group in DC with job security.
NO, the Republicans are the ones who don't want to talk about Health Care reform or any simbalence of reform. Since getting "sick" is big bucks, you can see why the insurance companies make large "contributions" to lawmakers. It's all about "show me the money" to them.
This guy is full of it. if it was a democrat shouting out at dumbya they would have tried to put the guy in prison, where he would have been tortured, I mean enhanced techniques would have been used.
That is funny!!!! From the slow down, just say no crowd.
The dude breaks house rules and shouts at a sitting President during a joint session, and the other party is creating a diversion, really?!?!
Now the republicans want to talk health care reform?
How about health Insurance Reform, are you going to take the lobbiest out of your pocket and go for the best plan for our nation?What happened to America being #1 and leading the World in Science, Jobs, Wealth, Education?
How about the wars you started and now we're stuck there with no end in sight and our kids are dying for you?
I think it was the Bush years. I know he thought he was doing the right thing but he was wrong and just about ruined the US, and Obama has a huge task on his hands trying to undo the Damage . I don't know how people can't see that.
Can anyone – Yah Anyone- tell us what these two worthless defuses have contributed to solving any of our current problems?
Political Waste, both of them.
"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"
So the birthers, deathers, Teabaggers, secessionists, speech interrupting party of "no" wants to talk about health care now. Well, Congressman Boehner, if you actually had been paying attention, that conversation has been going on. You have just been too busy riling up you lunatic base to notice.
And by the way, when are you, Congressman Boehner, going to give up your government run health care plan?
Majority whip Clyburn is right "silence in consent" so my advice to republicans who claim they are Americans what if the shoe was on the other foot? Would you have dismissed Wilson outburst so quickly? I say NO. But then Democrats would do the right thing and apologize to the House for the behavior and move on.
OK – let's have a real talk about health care reform. Your suggestions?
(cricket noises)
Boehner fried his brain in the sun tan booth!!
If anyone would know a diversion it would be boner