'We All Make Mistakes': Obama Accepts Rep. Joe Wilson's Apology

[sabra]

Source: ABC News


Republicans Distance Themselves From Heckler Who Shouted "You Lie!" During Obama's Speech

President Obama said he accepts the apology of Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who interrupted the president's speech last night to yell, "You lie!" after a line about how health insurance would not be provided to illegal immigrants.

"I'm a big believer that we all make mistakes," the president told reporters today following a meeting with his Cabinet members. "He apologized quickly and without equivocation, and I'm appreciative of that."

Obama said that it's important to have a civil conversation and that "wild accusations" won't solve a problem.

"We have to get to the point where we can have a conversation about big, important issues that matter to the American people without vitriol, without name-calling without the assumption of the worst in other people's motives," the president said, adding that Americans "are turned off when they see people using wild accusations, false claims, name-calling, and sharply ideological approaches to solving problems. They want pragmatism."

He added that he also hopes "some of the fever breaks a bit" after Wednesday night's incident.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/HealthCare/obamas-health-care-speech-met-praise-skepticism/story?id=8534297

[Juche]

1. Of course he did

Obama is pretty much always civil. Imagine if he actually were the asshole or firebrand liberal he is made out to be. If they are this hateful, violent and crazed about a moderate, civil Obama imagine how they'd react to a truly progressive fighter.

The guy gives a speech on election night telling the people who didn't vote for him that 'I hear your voice and I will be your president too' and the response is guns at town hall meetings and a 400% spike in death threats. Not that I support Obama being 'their' president because their policies suck and are why the country is in the toilet. Their = the 20% of the country who are wingnuts.

What can you do.

[lsewpershad]

19. Of course he would

because of the MAN he is. However why should we forgive him. He's uncouth and should be belittled and kicked out if he dares to run again.

[Joe Chi Minh]

32. Would Wilson feel Obama was patronising him? Heaping coals of fire on his head?

They do treasure their unfounded belief in their own superiority. The ones who thought of themselves as the Alpha males, are now lorded over, ever so graciously, by the Alpha plus President of a different ethnic provenance.

[Juche]

33. There is a limit to manhood

After a while when too many people walk all over you you stop being a man and start being a doormat.

Look at Obama's relationship with Joe Lieberman or Chuck Grassley to see how he can be a doormat.

[LiberalLovinLug]

27. Thats why Obama might as well gone for broke

Rush, Hannity, Beck et all already have the lunatic fringe convinced he's Stalin/Hitler/Saddam. Their voices couldn't get more cracked and shrill. It would have been wonderful to see the President take a sharp turn left and bring up Single Payer or a Strong Public Option...sigh...Because it really wouldn't have mattered. Repukes will always be assholes no matter what Obama calls for.

[Juche]

31. Pretty much

If you compromise your compromises, ask for input and treat people with respect the wingnuts grab their guns, make death threats and say we are turning into Nazi Germany.

Might as well do what is right in that situation since they will react the same anyway. Doesn't matter if you call for single payer, a public option or co-ops. Doesn't matter if you treat the republicans with respect or not.

Obama compliments Grassley and says he is working on health reform, then Grassley goes out and lies about death panels and says nothing when his constituents threaten to murder Obama in front of him.

So you might as well become the single minded progressive arm twister they say you are, because they will react the same anyway.

[elocs]

2. Now, now. That's not what we want to hear here. We want revenge, payback, teach 'em a lesson. n/t

[Champion Jack]

5. Not at all, censure would be sufficient

...and a public horse whipping

[NoQuarter]

12. ...and a bucket of

fresh HOT tar and some feathers.

[elocs]

15. Whipped with a real horse I suppose...

:rofl:

[pattmarty]

25. No. Just shot by a South Carolinian with a concealed carry permit.

:sarcasm:

[global1]

3. The President Is A Bigger Man Than Wilson .......

If the Repug leadership didn't tell Wilson to apologize and apologize right away - I really don't think he would of if left to his own decision.

I - as an American - want a public apology from Wilson now. I also still believe that they should Censure him in the House.

[BOSSHOG]

4. I would like to

hear Rahm Immanual behind the scenes rant about wilson. I'll kick his motherfucking ass. We are gonna bury the motherfucker during his next reelection. Yeah you are gonna lie bitch.

[Mithreal]

6. Or the precise opposite.

"No one challenge him, let's keep him in there. This guy is gonna be great for fund raising."

[Posteritatis]

8. He apparently got in the GOP's face before the chamber cleared

I was reading a WaPo article saying he cornered a few Republican reps right when the speech ended and all but ordered them to have him deliver an apology.

[sabrina 1]

40. Rahm only talks that way to liberals

See Cenk's interview with Jane Hamsher. Aside from the part about Rahm, it's a must see.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x369101

[treestar]

7. Obama has class

I can only imagine what we'd be hearing from Cheney and the gang had the shoe been on the other foot.

[AlbertCat]

9. Now all Wilson needs to admit is that HE lied about illegal immigrants being covered.

[high density]

17. He was on TV today saying the same lies again

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32778906#32778906

Because certain amendments were defeated, he asserts the 'illegal aliens' will be covered. :crazy:

[goclark]

24. Didn't a top Republican say today that Obama was wrong?

I heard somebody on CNN or MSNBC say that Immigrants WERE covered and he read the section where it said that ~ :shrug:

[NecklyTyler]

34. Wilson should resign. n/t

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

10. President Obama - CLASSY as always :)

Even though Addison Graves "Just-call-me-Joe" Wilson's non-apology was as childish as his outburst -

"But teacher, HE made me do it. It wasn't my fault..."

Leave it to our President to take the high road and dismiss the tantrum as "...we all make mistakes."

Send "Just-Call-Me-Joe" packing. Send some love and encouragement to Rob Miller here:
http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19079

[Skittles]

11. that was no mistake

that was red meat for his rabid base

[MARALE]

30. You are right about that

This was all to get the media to pay attention to him so he can spew his lies. It was not a mistake and he needs to get censured for this! He knew what the outcome would be.

[Skittles]

38. Obama should make an example out of him

yeah I know, Obama takes the "high road" - but how much evidence do we need to know the high road does not work with these assholes?

[nolabear]

13. Have I ever mentioned how much I LIKE Barack Obama?

I mean, really. This is just the kind of president I want, one who fits that old Kipling version of "a man," "If you can keep your head when all about you/Are losing theirs and blaming it on you". I believe in using common sense and all of one's talents to do a job while keeping the ability to stand back and wait for things to bear fruit, rather than running in circles and howling. Of course, it involves basic trust in one's fellow man and a generally good opinion of people,and Obama seems to have those qualities, while continuing to fight for what he believes in in the most pragmatic, level-headed way. After all, he is the president and he is doing the work. The ones who are causing us all trouble are the ones responding to hysteria with hysteria. It's subtle, and the gaping maw of public opinion isn't fond of subtle, but I do believe he'll get a hell of a lot done for us.

[LatteLibertine]

14. This fellow is from the deep south?

Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't shout, "White Power" instead.

Those sorts seem to be growing in the Republican base daily.

[shaniqua6392]

16. Wilson said that it was an emotional outburst???

Maybe he should have read the speech when they made it available to the Congress the day before?? Maybe he did read it in advance and decided just where to yell out his righteous indignation. Our president is a class act and I am very proud of him.

[hedgehog]

18. Dogs bark but the caravan goes on

[DrZeeLit]

20. Once again, President Obama is the only adult in the room. Thank goodness.

[proteus_lives]

21. Good for the President!

He's proving to be the bigger man.

[wroberts189]

22. I would have rather he said something more stinging.

This magnanimous stuff never gets him anywhere.

[skypilot]

26. I agree.

And magnanimous is exactly the word that came to mind. I was thinking that he's being way too magnanimous. It doesn't get him anywhere and it doesn't get us anywhere. I remember a while back when Rush Limbaugh fell ill and there were so many people here thinking that his illness would somehow humble him and blah, blah, blah...Well, we know how that turned out. I'm not suggesting that Obama should be out for blood but,like you said, I would have preferred something more stinging as well. We know he has it in him. I'm sure we all remember his response to that tool at his press conference a while ago who asked him why it had taken him two or three days to express outrage at the bonuses being paid out by some financial institutions: Because I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak,.

I'd like to see more of that side of him.

[wroberts189]

37. Excellent post

I know he is smart enough.. but I wonder....

After getting enough spitballs in the face .. when does he realize you cannot be bipartisan with this gang of thugs?

bush got all his thugs in line ...and enough Dems. as well.

OBAMA JUST USE YOUR POWER ..like bush abused his.


WTF

[Psephos]

23. Classy response nt

[LiberalLovinLug]

28. So is Van Jones vindicated now????

Seriously Van Jones resigns for calling Repukes assholes, and then a Repuke proves his assertion. :crazy:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

29. I didn't even think of that. nt

[NecklyTyler]

35. K&R

[Raine]

36. Obama Classier than what that piece of shit

deserves.

[Douglas Carpenter]

39. The President is a classy man!! God Bless him!!

I will say, that as time went on, George W. Bush could not go on television me losing it it. It took all my self-control not to break the TV.