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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Typical. Had this been a Black Congressman having made that remark during one of Bush's speeches, John Boehner and his crew of GOP would have been picketed the NAACP and labeled it racism. Funny how these things aren't relevant when they do them - when they're called to do the right thing, they call it a "distraction."
NO SIR! Mr. Wilson has not apologized. His information was wrong as sited on the bill he was referencing, and his actions were bias, ignorant, uncivil, and very disrespectful. We are watching and we see the truth. If perceptions are so important, Republicans should be careful.
A diversion to refuse to face reality...respect for the institution.
Give us a break there, "Boner"! Everything you and the rest of your halfwit buddies say and do is nothing but a "diversion" to take the attention off of the fact that every last one of you are incompetent, and have an intelligence level equal to a hampster! Shut up and get lost, nobody's paying any attention to you, in case you didn't notice!!!!!
We know the Dems have lost when they start playing the race card.
Whenever you hear them playing the race card, you know that they are afraid and they use it to try and change the subject.
We been hearing the race card cr*p all week, and it means that they KNOW that they are DEAD IN THE WATER ON HEALTHCARE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
He's right. For once.
John Boehner your baboon red a– face is always a distraction. That racial jerk and Wilson and all the Repukes need to be sent back to Klan Island.
The Dems DO want to talk about Health Care. Its the Repubs that dont
It turns out that in eight states, plus the District of Columbia, getting beaten up by your spouse is a pre-existing condition.
Under the cold logic of the insurance industry, it makes perfect sense: If you are in a marriage with someone who has beaten you in the past, you're more likely to get beaten again than the average person and are therefore more expensive to insure.
In human terms, it's a second punishment for a victim of domestic violence.
In 2006, Democrats tried to end the practice. An amendment introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), now a member of leadership, split the Health Education Labor & Pensions Committee 10-10. The tie meant that the measure failed.
All ten no votes were Republicans, including Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), a member of the "Gang of Six" on the Finance Committee who are hashing out a bipartisan bill.
Yea, just look at all those Republicans stepping up in support of Wilson to vote Nay on the letter of disapproval!
Even the GOPers are embarrassed by this guy.... With nothing and no one left to turn to, the GOP finally has to own it's base - the red-necks, racists, fringe secessionists and good ole boys who want to see the South rise again.
Personally, I think they should just all turn their backs on Wilson every time he opens his mouth for a while and not worry about a letter.. A letter implies reading...
South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson is lucky because if this was any other President, the Republicans and Democrats would be asking for his resignation.
it is the republicans who wish to stall the real progress for health care reform, not the Dems; but if you misbehave when propriety is expected, don't expect your hardworking colleagues to let it slide. How sad that Boehner isn't leading the charge for chastising Wilson.
Do we really want to continue the Jerry Springer free-for-all that has become the republican party?
Boehner seems to think so . . . diversion? What planet does this man live on. The GOPers have done nothing BUT diversion since Jan 20, 2009.
Now that it has come back to bite them in the butt, they enact talking point #2: finger point the opposition.
This is what happens when your leader is a talk show shock jock.
Dems don't want debate issues. They call names, lie, distract. Dems do not want to defend their indefensible policies.
What a joke of a president and congress
Why are all posts about race?? It's about big government, not race. Big government is bad for all people (that means all races).
Quit buying the garbage the left-wing leaders are training you to believe. Big government keeps people down, but keeping low wages,and setting the bar low. Look at the public school system in Chicago...run by dems (lefties) for decades, it's in shambles!! They won't even let poor have vouchers to go to qualified schools.
The Democrats are 4th and 99 with their 'health care reform', so the Wilson diversion is their only way to punt. I'm glad Boehner is calling this pathetic little tactic for what it is.
Yes, Joe Wilson apoligized to President Obama. He also needed to apologize to his fellow house members for his behavior. His actions cast a shadow on the reputation and dignity of the House.
Somebody should tell Boner-head that his shade of makeup is the wrong color and plastered on too thick.
you know what's a diversion John, that terrible tan.
Why is it so hard for some blowhard who's willing to yell on National Television to get up and apologize on the house floor like a respected member of congress? If he would just utter 2 words on the house floor, this would be over and done with. You petty, petty republicans are sinking this ship we call America. And you're taking all of us with you.
Joe Wilson for President.
A 'Diversion" from what? How can you STOP talking about Health Care??? It's in the MEDIA all the time! BOEHNER – YOU LIE!!!
If the REPUBLI-CAN'Ts don't want negative publicity, then stop contributing to negative publicity. Also, if you were so interested in the Health Care Reform bill in the first place – maybe WILSON and the rest of the PARTY OF NO would have been FAR BEYOND calling President Obama a LIAR!!!!
Joe Wilson should be subject to the most severe penalties the House can hand out. It was a planned partisian attack. Wilson and the GOP are the liars.
When did the Republican party ever do anything to help solve America's problems? The truth: they hate the American way of life and everything they do is aimed at destroying it.
Boehner is truly an idiot who is incapable of honest and bipartisan thought. Supporting Wilson's ignorant and disgusting out burst is literally ridiculous and indicative of their unconscionable irresponsibility. Bush-Cheney set the mark for total arrogance and the Republican Party just continues with 'more of the same'.
Boehner is half right ... it is a "diversion" from an important issue that needs to be honestly and calmly discussed ... but it's the ain't-got-no-clue Rethuglicans who planned and executed the you lie "diversion" so they could subvert the needed discussion on health care ... The ain't-got-no-clue crew have done it over and over and again.
I passed my own resolution today disapproving Congress. It will become binding on Election Day 2010.