Flashback: Democratic etiquette in the Bush era
posted at 9:30 am on September 10, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Let’s start off by acknowledging that Rep. Joe Wilson needed to apologize for his outburst in Congress last night during the speech by President Barack Obama. Getting called a liar by the President in a speech may be infuriating, but a certain level of decorum is expected of our elected officials, and Wilson violated that decorum. He did the right thing by apologizing afterward.
Unfortunately, people on the Left want to keep hyperventilating about this as though the world was born on the day Barack Obama won the presidential election. As Omri Ceren and Michelle remind people, the Democrats were hardly models of decorum in the last administration. Here’s a clip from the State of the Union speech in 2005, when George Bush warned Congress that Social Security was going broke and needed reform immediately. Did Democrats politely listen to the warning? Not exactly. Listen to the boos and catcalls:
Did any of the hyperventilators today demand apologies from their side at the time? Did any Democrat ever offer an apology for their rude behavior? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
I’d take the hyperventilating with a wee more seriousness if it didn’t come from the same crowd who cheered the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at Bush in a 2008 press conference.
And just for the record, Bush was more right than they’ll admit:
The Social Security Trust Fund reported an August net deficit of $5.865 Billion. This is the largest monthly deficit in nineteen years. Base on recent years data it was not surprising the Fund ran a deficit in August. But the magnitude of the shortfall was a surprise to me. This deficit is now the seventh in the past twelve months. That pace has never been seen before. …
-In August the US Treasury had to borrow an additional $6 billion in the public market to finance the cash shortfall of Social Security. We already have too much paper for sale to fund the budget deficit. SS added to the supply problem last month.
-The 2037 Future Value of the August deficit is -$17b based on a 4% return. What this means is that there will be a very significant revision in the 2037 drop-dead date. Based on current trends the go broke date is closer to 2025.
-This is not just a bad month. The net decline in the Funds assets for June/July/August comes to $7 billion. In 08 that period was in surplus by $5 billion, In 07 it was +$7b and in 06 it was +$13b.
Four years ago, Bush warned that collapse would come in 2042. Now it looks like 2025, thanks to Democrats who preferred to boo and catcall than to act responsibly to reform the Ponzi scheme of Social Security.
Update (AP): Lyin’ Rahm Emanuel lies his ass off about Joe Wilson: “No president has ever been treated like that. Ever.”
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At this point, I think any time and any place is fine to announce that Obama is flat-out lying. False civility is not going to win us this war. I wish Joe Wilson had not apologized but had used the publicity to specify in great detail everything Obama was lying about.
Redhead Infidel on September 10, 2009 at 10:04 AM
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/sep/09/joe-wilson/joe-wilson-south-carolina-said-obama-lied-he-didnt/
I guess hotair.com forgot to post this.
Proud Rino on September 10, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Frankly the whining by the wussies on the
Right about how “we should be above it and how we should take the high road” is even MORE tiresome.
It produced squishey candidates like McCain who instead of fighting to win spent his time telling us what a nice guy Obama was. When you are dealing with a cult figure like Obama logic is not effective.
katiejane on September 10, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Why would HotAir post sycophantic hackery without a sarc headline?
TMK on September 10, 2009 at 10:06 AM
I saw that! What kind of person thinks he needs to be in the public so much? I am starting to think he has an emotional problem.
Cindy Munford on September 10, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Well, the last election he won 54%+/- to 46%. Cook CVI is R+9. It’s a little harder to tell current (status gain or loss in safety) by the strength of his time in office — since 2001 — because of the interim redistricting due to the census.
Overall, the 2nd district, whatever it’s geography, has been in R hands since ’65, and considering it stayed R in the 2006 and 2008 debacles, I think it’s safe to say it’s a safe seat.
Dusty on September 10, 2009 at 10:06 AM
The President claimed that the bill (I know, there’s no real bill but the basic provisions of one) will not cover illegal aliens.
So, we can respond to the public two ways.
One: Yell “Liar.”
Two: Point out to the public that there are no enforcement mechanisms in the bill to prevent care from going to illegal aliens and that courts continually rule that care must be given to them. And that because of this we’ll be required to provide care.
For me, point two will win over a lot more voters than point one.
SteveMG on September 10, 2009 at 10:07 AM
That would have been spun as “see lack of cooperation from people unwilling to even listen to chairman Mao speak is what is gholding this up not the blue dogs”….
on an evening where Chairman Soetoro basically said, “my door is open so long as you accept I’m right” for the media spin to be “evil Joe Wilson” shows that would have been greeted even more poorly….
and Barry called for the Joint Session so he was a guest sort of like the British were in Boston households back in 1773….
“keep the change”
sven10077 on September 10, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Reid once said that Dubya was a “loser”. Oh My G…oh wait, that wasn’t in the hallowed halls of Congress, so no big deal.
Sorry but decorum in a building full of thieves, liars, and crooks is like expecting decorum in a prison yard.
Bishop on September 10, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Really? Sure about that? Got any evidence?
Proud Rino on September 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Rep Joe Wilson’s official sites are not available. none of them. That’s the Obama posse at work doing their Chicago thug shit. Stop yapping for a second or two and give this guy some support if you agree with what he did last night before they swallow him whole.
RepubChica on September 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM
It is interesting that Mr. Obama’s lies get a pass but the person who calls him on it is labeled the worst person in the world. Or will be this evening.
Cindy Munford on September 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM
This ‘we’re better than that” attitude towards tactics plays right into the left’s Alinsky strategy of “make’em live up to their rules.” If an apology helps the cause, then make it. Otherwise, f’em.
Lou Budvis on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I want to win; you want to feel good about giving it to Obama or to the left for what they did to Bush.
Fine.
Winning is much better than feeling good about yourself.
SteveMG on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
What’s wrong with both?
d1carter on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Don’t know if anyone else has noticed but Joe Wilson’s site is “down” at this point and has been since last night. I keep trying to get in there to say THANK YOU FOR SAYING WHAT I WAS THINKING!
GO JOE! YOU ROCK, SIR!
Vntnrse on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Cindy Munford on September 10, 2009 at 10:06 AM
I think he knows he’s losing the Healthcare Reform battle. The NY Times critizcized him this morning for not being specific enough. Maybe this is his attempt at specificity. Or maybe he just likes to hear himself talk.
kingsjester on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
So, we can respond to the public two ways.
One: Yell “Liar.”
Two: Point out to the public that there are no enforcement mechanisms in the bill to prevent care from going to illegal aliens and that courts continually rule that care must be given to them. And that because of this we’ll be required to provide care.
For me, point two will win over a lot more voters than point one.
SteveMG on September 10, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Bishop on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Rep. Wilson raised the banner of truth. And the irony remains, it is The South that would preserve our US Constitution, The South that marches to The Battle Hymn of the Republic today even as the old Union powers usurp power to enforce illegitimate authoritarianism.
Long live the US Constitution, and may the American people stand up and protect it.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
You mean the part where the article confirms that Obama lied but spins it away?
The pertinent part of the bill says “No *resident* may be denied government insurance”
Not citizen… “resident”.
Skywise on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Pretty serious allegation. Got any proof?
Proud Rino on September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Oh but he did, and on much more than just the Illegal line. Which I think Wilson was referrign to Obama’s entire Partsian, condescendingly speech calling his opponents Liars.
the Congressional Research Committee has already showed how Wilson was in fact, Correct on the Illegal Part:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Yes-they-can-55389592.html
Obama = Liar, MSM = Accomplices
jp on September 10, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Maybe try reading the whole thing?
Proud Rino on September 10, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Sure:
That means that since Democrats stripped language that demanded citizenshp verification, illegals have defacto access to socialized medicine under ObamaCare as currently written.
/pwned
TMK on September 10, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Of course, by the time Obamacare is implemented there will be no such thing as an Illegal immigrant so the point is moot
jp on September 10, 2009 at 10:11 AM
It was better then Congress, it was in front of students (not college). I am pretty sure that it would curl our hair to know even a fraction of what has gone on in those hallowed halls.
Cindy Munford on September 10, 2009 at 10:11 AM
jp on September 10, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Yeah you didn’t respond to my question. READING COMPREHENSION FAIL.
Proud Rino on September 10, 2009 at 10:13 AM
202.225.2452.
Rep Wilson’s office if you can get through.
RepubChica on September 10, 2009 at 10:13 AM
My proof is right here–give it a good bite, sweetie.
RepubChica on September 10, 2009 at 10:14 AM
go to Ace to find out some of what is going on with Joe Wilson. evidently, it is safe district, but maybe we should show support with small donations so he knows we’re out here.
and the food is so good there, let’s go down & campaign for him.
kelley in virginia on September 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Exactly!
davenp35 on September 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Well to be honest, I started sniveling over Reid’s remarks at the time too; I just couldn’t believe that an esteemed, lying, hyper-partisan, crooked, lifer politician was capable of such mean spirited behavior.
I have never entered the Congress building, but if I ever did I would wipe my shoes on the way OUT of the door.
Bishop on September 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Subservience to a totalitarian thug is what happens when you follow McCain’s high road to hell.
That YOU can feel good about yourself by condemning Wilson is your brown paper package tied up with string favorite thing that YOU knee jerked into a smear, jumping the media gun, so glad to charge him as a bomb thrower. Look in the mirror; that’s YOU throwing the bomb at Wilson. You get your warm and fuzzies enabling Obama, playing Obama’s apologist. And you have no qualms tagging those who oppose Obama as radicals, riding that totalitarian bandwagon as far as you can make it go up McCain’s route to defeat.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Srsly? An article that slobbers all over Obama’s knob, when he is demonstrably lying? It takes 2 seconds of binging to prove he’s a liar.
You astroturf trolls are clearly overpaid.
TMK on September 10, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Joe Wilson’s blurting out was an autonomic response to the jarring input (aka blatant LIE) to his ears.
It’s a good thing he apologised. I would have apologised for the violation of decorum, but reiterated the fact that Barry lied.
44Magnum on September 10, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Joe Wilson merely gave voice to what many millions of Americans were yelling at the TV screen.
This President has purposefully lied plenty enough that to hear him called out for what he is was music.
Don’t apologize for the truth, no matter what Neville McCain gets in the form of scraps, from the most radical progressive President ever to disgrace this country.
Speakup on September 10, 2009 at 10:17 AM
What does Joe Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame, have to say about this?/
Lanceman on September 10, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Read the MSM. Wilson’s official web page crashed last night.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:18 AM
What does Joe Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame, have to say about this?/
Lanceman on September 10, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Yeah, easy to remember the name now.
And guarding against prosecutorial misconduct!
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:20 AM
So, then you don’t have any proof – or at least it’s so small you can’t even see it.
Proud Rino on September 10, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Joe go to Tanzania and write an op/ed saying that Iran never had nuclear aspirations….
wait you’re not my husband!
///sekrit agent 9to5
sven10077 on September 10, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Yes I know, but the accusation was that Obama’s thug Chicago posse did it, and I was asking whether there was any proof of that, and then Repubchica (who is actually a dude I guess? Or some kind of Crying Game situation going on. Anyway) told me to bite him.
Proud Rino on September 10, 2009 at 10:22 AM
You misspelled “seekrut.”
TMK on September 10, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I don’t have one of those thank goodness. But since you jumped to that conclusion so defensively, I’m sorry to hear about your…uh…shortcomings.
RepubChica on September 10, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Proud Rino:
At best, you are ignorant.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Nuance…
Net effect, illegals will have access to government subsidized health care…
elgeneralisimo on September 10, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Once again, this bill grants broad powers to The Commissioner. I wonder who Obama would choose for this post, I hear Van Jones is looking for work.
BohicaTwentyTwo on September 10, 2009 at 10:24 AM
heh..just worth repeating.
bridgetown on September 10, 2009 at 10:24 AM
my bad….
heh
sven10077 on September 10, 2009 at 10:25 AM
I think to boos are worse, and it isn’t just because I like Bush better.
deidre on September 10, 2009 at 10:25 AM
No Rhino it was the same magic fairies who put Jack Ryan’s sealed divorce papers, Joe the Plumber’s state legal data, and the market implosion into Barry Soetoro’s hands….
Barry’s code name is serendipity I guess.
sven10077 on September 10, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Proud Rino on September 10, 2009 at 10:22 AM
LOL So you assert that it is the McCain following of RINOs with outraged conservatives that crashed his site and beat his Twitter.
Re: Obama, his masters and his entire administration and his ardent supporters ARE Chicago thugs and wannabees where ACORN has attached feelers.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:27 AM
You mean the magical fairy elf, Jobama O’Biden?
TMK on September 10, 2009 at 10:29 AM
If Ed Morrissey had been in the Temple when Jesus cleansed it, Ed would have condemned Jesus for his deplorable lack of decorum and protocol.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Boos are different than being called a liar in front of the Congress.
I think you are the liar, Ed, not Rahm.
Jimbo3 on September 10, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Let’s just ask Wilson who’s been sending love e-mails and messages since last night. As soon as I’m able to get through the DC phone number I’ll ask one of his assistants and find out.
RepubChica on September 10, 2009 at 10:29 AM
If it has gotten to the point where conservatives have started apologizing for telling the truth, as Joe Wilson did last night, then this country is screwed.
Apologetic conservatism is going to be our downfall.
Dave R. on September 10, 2009 at 10:30 AM
The Bill? Yeah I did… and I just quoted from it.
ALL of the article is based on that one part of the bill that they do NOT quote and that the St. Petersburg times lies about.
Skywise on September 10, 2009 at 10:31 AM
It’s one thing to have a different style, and to prefer one’s own style of rebuttal to lies and those who lie. It is another thing to condemn those who are bold enough to be led by angels where the faint hearted don’t dare go.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I am torn between condemning Joe Wilson’s behavior last evening and praising him. The good angle on my right shoulder is saying “this was bad”. But the little rebel on my left shoulder is roflol and singing praises. Better sense says he was wrong and should have offered to present the opposing view afterwards. Then he could have called the One a liar and pointed out exactly the how, when, and where the One lied.
AASLT on September 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Keeping the moral high ground is cold comfort when your country lies buried there.
Dave R. on September 10, 2009 at 10:33 AM
And it’s another thing all together to saw off the branch rooted in truth upon which an honest leader finds himself.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:35 AM
HOW DARE Joe Wilson sully the dignity of the great room where Ted Kennedy and Chris Dodd talked about their waitress sandwiches!
Speedwagon82 on September 10, 2009 at 10:35 AM
You sir, have just won the internets.
TMK on September 10, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Rino, tell Axelrod he needs to send better trolls over here. The ones we have now are oh so lame.
mcassill on September 10, 2009 at 10:39 AM
OMG how I miss that man.
dragondrop on September 10, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Not sure if someone mentioned this, but, didn’t students turn their backs on Bush during a keynote address during his first term? I can’t find it. That was egregious disrespect and I’d love to help Rahm Immanuel remember it, if I could.
Also, I’d like to ask him if it was at all disrespectful for POTUS to call everyone else liars, in extended version, for nearly an hour? My guess is he will say no.
Sorry if everyone is saying these things already. I’ve got cranky kids here today.
Diane on September 10, 2009 at 10:41 AM
WAIT GAME. As if “You lie” addressed to Obama’s speech will ever be deemed either acceptable or appropriate by the PC POLICE and hall monitors.
No, “You lie” is directed to Obama, not to the camera or to the Congress or to Rahm, or anyone but Obama.
Wilson had the pelotas to say it to his face while he was committing fraud.
If there’s a robbery taking place AGAIN, same place same robber same modus operandi, the PC Police would require that no alarm be triggered or be responded to until after the robbery is completed and after the robbers have fled the scene. No.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Except that Bush was booed during a State of the Union address, which is a constitutionally required report by the President to the Congress. Obama’s speech was a narcissistic, dig-me, it’s-a-crisis-because-I-say-so, completely unnecessary address to Congress. Personally, I think the Republicans should not have even shown up.
George Bush gave ONE unscheduled address to a joint session of Congress, and that was after 9/11. Bill Clinton didn’t give any. Obama gets one 7 months into his term, just to try to save his own ass on a bill he knows is going down and make sure the networks cover it. And our side is just supposed to shut up and take it?
rockmom on September 10, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Joe Wilson’s South Carolina district (District 2) is safely in Republican hands. The lower portion of the district straddling the Savannah River to the coast is very rural, although heavily democrat due to large black populations who continue to vote for democrats. However, Lexington County and northern Richland County more than off-set these rural counties.
SouthernGent on September 10, 2009 at 10:43 AM
SouthernGent on September 10, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Good.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Boos mean disagreement. Calling someone a liar means calling someone a liar.
When a baseball player misses a catch and is booed by the crowd, the crowd isn’t calling him a liar.
Jimbo3 on September 10, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I’m having trouble faulting Wilson. Someone needs to call Obama out and force him to acknowledge the facts publicly. Why does he get to stand on the podium and call Conservatives liars, but no one can call him one?
As for Decorum, wasn’t it the Dems who thought it was cute to procure seats for members of Code Pink during Bush’s speeches, knowing full well they were going to disrupt the event?
2nd Ammendment Mother on September 10, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Obama Lied. ObamaCare Died.
faraway on September 10, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Good thing they couldn’t hear what was being said in my living room.
mchristian on September 10, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Yeah, good ol’ Teddy lead the cheering section during Bush’s SOTU speech.
GarandFan on September 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Check out Slow-Joe Biden. This is a man who lies through his teeth, telling a few whoppers about President Bush (that didn’t demean the institution?). How many times have Harry Reid and other key Democrats demeaned their office by acting like complete morons during a time of war?
The left is simply shameless — they’re trying to use this particular episode to rally people to their side. Do they really believe the American people are that stupid to accept a disastrous plan because someone breached House rules of decorum?
Richard Romano on September 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I wouldn’t blame Wilson if he threw his shoes.
faraway on September 10, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I have to vehemently disagree with Ed. Joe Wilson should not have apologized and I’m extremely disappointed in him because he did. I’m tired of Republicans having to have a certain “level of decorum” but the same isn’t expected of Democrats. The double standard is getting very old. As a staunch conservative I’m prepared to show Obama the same amount of respect that the left showed Bush–and only that much. The time for being Mr. Nice Guy is long past. We’re losing our country and if you don’t realize that very obvious fact then your head is in the sand.
Lizzy on September 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
That has to be one of the dumbest comparions I have ever read. The people are booing the player because he did a lousy job. The Congresscritters booing Bush at that specific moment felt he lied about Social Security going broke by that date. And you’re being disengenuous when you try to separate calling someone a liar from disagreeing with them. When someone states what they believe to be a fact and you disagree, then you are calling them a liar. Or maybe Obama is ignorant of the facts and Wilson should have called him stupid?
Deanna on September 10, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Reid has always gotten by on his good looks. /
Cindy Munford on September 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Lizzy wins the thread!
Dave R. on September 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
He said what any logical person was thinking/SCREAMING during the speech. Decorum is so 80s, dude.
Ugly on September 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
In two words or less, Wilson provided the American people with a great service, having released our high pressure valve in the nick of time. And it came with sacrifice. So I stand by him for having the nerve and defend him against the thought police who would prosecute him for thought crime, for exercising his Constitutional Rights and Obligations to represent his constituents.
Never kick an honest colleague while he’s down and call it collegiality.
I don’t equate a self righteous pedestal with the moral high ground.
Some say WAIT. Go ahead and wait if you will. Republicans have been waiting. During this long wait, on a previous occasion when Jindal approached the podium to provide the Republican response to an Obama speech, the national media leaders verbally assaulted Jindal before he said a word. Go ahead and wait, but don’t hold your breath. Those who wait forever have no right to enforce their own judgment on those who’ve patiently waited so long but refuse to wait too long and act before it is too late.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Since when has that stopped you? You’ve been shown that your own link supports Wilson more than it supports Obama and yet you childishly insist you’re right.
Give it up already.
Esthier on September 10, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I must have missed it. Where in that clip does a Congressman heckle the President?
YYZ on September 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Deanna 10:59
You interpret others’ feelings, Congress “felt he lied”. Hm.
Congressional members booed Bush for bringing to the light of day the miserable facts that they KNEW were true. They booed Bush for his audacity to address the sacred cow Social Security and federal entitlement programs. They booed because they wanted to keep it all hush-hush, to milk that sacred cow to death for more power over government and profit at the sore expense of tax payers. They also attacked Inspector Generals who addressed them as required in Committees. They [Maxine Waters, Barney Frank, ...] repeatedly called those with the facts and figures LIARS.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 11:11 AM
And why would they? If the player, however, walks over to the opposing team’s dugout insults them by calling them liars and claims that he actually caught the ball why should he get a free pass?
anuts on September 10, 2009 at 11:12 AM
“Keeping the moral high ground is cold comfort when your country lies buried there.
Dave R. on September 10, 2009 at 10:33 AM”
Bingo. I’d rather have a free America with a little dirt under my fingernails, than be a Hail Fellow Well Met living in a marxist state.
Lou Budvis on September 10, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Right now on the view McCain,Bahar,Goldberg,Walters all complaining about Wilson and saying how respectful Dems were during Bushs speeches.I just want to puke.Someone needs to get on that show with some facts.
LennyV on September 10, 2009 at 11:12 AM
“You lie.”
To the point, short and sweet.
Accurate accusation.
No profanity.
Spontaneous.
If you disagree with Wilson, you still have to give him a break. He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Let’s not forget that this administration is all about images and false facades. That’s why Obama has surrounded himself with a bunch of hollywood flunkies (like that Kumar guy) so he can be pushed out there for PR purposes and anyone disagreeing or dissenting against the “One” is ruining the effect.
mozalf on September 10, 2009 at 11:19 AM
“You lie.”
Addressed face to face at the moment Obama spoke lies.
Any outrage should target Obatomy.
maverick muse on September 10, 2009 at 11:21 AM
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