Washington Turns on Obama Heckler Joe Wilson After Healthcare 'Liar' Gibe (Nico Hines)

Created by : Francis Goodwin View profile

Sept. 10, 2009 (The Times Online/UK) -- In a rare moment of unity in the bitter American healthcare debate, both sides of the political spectrum have turned on a Republican congressman after his extraordinary heckle of President Obama during a keynote speech last night.

[US President Barack Obama's high-stakes health care speech drew frequent eyerolls and scoffs from his Republican critics, but sharpest was a single shouted charge: "You lie" from Republican Joe Wilson of South Carolina (C) during a joint session of the US Congress in Washington, DC. (AFP/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)]US President Barack Obama's high-stakes health care speech drew frequent eyerolls and scoffs from his Republican critics, but sharpest was a single shouted charge: "You lie" from Republican Joe Wilson of South Carolina (C) during a joint session of the US Congress in Washington, DC. (AFP/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
Joe Wilson, of South Carolina, breached Washington etiquette by calling Mr Obama a liar as he addressed the joint houses of Congress last night.

During an impassioned speech in support of his flagship health reform plan, Mr Obama insisted that there would be no provision for illegal immigrants to receive state-sponsored medical assistance.

Mr Wilson responded to the claim by shouting "You lie!". Two words that were greeted by groans and murmurs of disapproval from across the chamber. The President paused, looked in the direction of the outspoken congressman and said calmly "that's not true".

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/10-0