Barney Frank Nails It: "WILSON LIED WHEN HE SAID THE PRESIDENT LIED"

[kpete]

MADDOW: Let me ask you about something that happened tonight that was unexpected and that I didn‘t expect to have to ask anybody about.

A Republican Member of Congress named Joe Wilson of South Carolina screamed, "You lie" at the president tonight, interrupting his speech. Is this an "ignore the tantrum" moment or is that a big deal?

FRANK: I don‘t think it‘s a big deal. Look, I think free speech—you know, heckling is a tradition, obviously, in the British parliament. They even have mikes that come down to hear the heckles.

I think what we should take it as—it is unusual—it‘s a sign of how effective the president was. These guys just couldn‘t handle it. I looked at John Boehner and he looked about as glum and as dour as—as possibly he could be.

So what Joe Wilson did was just scream out in frustration because the president was nailing it. So we‘ve got to be very clear, Wilson lied when he said the president lied. And he talked about illegal immigrants. It‘s clearly excluded from the bill.

So I would say what Wilson did was a mark of their frustration. And Barack Obama is a big boy. I think, I must say, to any Republicans particularly like Joe Wilson who want to get into a debate with Barack Obama is tugging on Superman‘s cape and pulling the Lone Ranger‘s mask. But if that‘s what he wants to do, free country.

more plus VIDEO:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/10/780028/-Updated:-Once-Again-Barney-Frank-NAILS-It

[gratuitous]

1. That's gonna leave a mark

"I must say to any Republicans, particularly like Joe Wilson who want to get into a debate with Barack Obama . . ." I think Mr. Frank just said that Addison Graves Wilson, Sr. is not equal to the task of tangling with the President.

Edited to add the negative.

[DevonRex]

2. That last part is downright hilarious. He always nails it. Brilliant man.

And my hero, today.

[eShirl]

3. You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind

You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger, and you don't mess around with Slim.