Boehner: Joe Wilson’s Outburst Inappropriate, Obama’s Health Care Speech ‘Just Another Lecture’
EmailABC News’ Huma Khan reports: House Republican Leader John Boehner added to the chorus of Republicans saying Rep. Joe Wilson’s outburst during President Obama’s speech last night was inappropriate, but the Ohio lawmaker wouldn’t say if it was an embarrassment to his party. “I think that Mr. Wilson summed it up best when he said his behavior was inappropriate,” Boehner said in a press conference today. He added that he had a “private conversation” with the South Carolina Congressman, but wouldn’t divulge what they discussed. Wilson shouted out “You Lie!” after the president said his health care plan would not provide coverage to illegal immigrants. “Now, there are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false,” Obama said in an attempt to debunk the myths about his health care proposals. But Boehner today said that assertion isn’t true, citing an analysis by the Congressional Research Service that says under a government exchange program, illegal immigrants would be able to purchase insurance. “H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitizens participating in and paying for coverage available through the exchange, whether the noncitizens are legally or illegally present or in the United States temporarily or permanently,” Boehner said. The bill states that, "Except as otherwise explicitly permitted by this Act and by subsequent regulations consistent with this Act, all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act shall be provided without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services,” but it also explicitly says that illegal immigrants can’t get any government money to pay for health care. Boehner also countered the president’s claim that any health care bill he signs will not add to the deficit, saying that the Democratic House bill has “10 years worth of taxes covering only about eight years worth of new expenses.” The Republican leader also assailed Obama for cutting Medicare benefits and not discarding the idea of a public option altogether. “We appreciated having the president here last night. Unfortunately, what the American people got wasn't a new health care plan. It was just another lecture. He had a chance to really put the government-run plan to bed, but unfortunately he didn't do it,” Boehner said. “Almost all of what he had to say was aimed at Democrats, whether he was referring to the progressives to hang in there. But a lot of — a lot of what he said, I think, was aimed at the more moderate Democrat members, trying to bring them on board.”
Santorum: Money Will Not Defeat Obama, Ideas Will 
Rick Santorum's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
Blah, blah, blah! We are tired of you sir! Exactly what have you done for the American people to earn your salary? You never present a plan ie: the economy, health care etc. What exactly do you do besides say no?
Posted by: Try the truth | September 10, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
“Inappropriate”?
How about rude, insulting, ugly, childish, juvenile, hate-filled, “town-hall antic” and just plain disturbing.
The President acted like the adult and Wilson like a spoiled child who didn’t get his way.
“Appropriate”?
Far from Boehner . . .
Posted by: Tom Kaye | September 10, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
Maybe the outburst was inappropriate, but the contention behind it, is entirely accurate.
The Clinton’s passage of child health care for the uninsured, did in fact, primarily benefit the illegal immigrants here in TX, and there is NO reason to believe it wouldn’t be the same with Obama’s plan.
I will chastise Mr. Wilson for his outburst, as improper behavior, but I will also challenge Mr. Obama to provide the detailed language that will effectively prevent illegal immigrants, from once again, using the generosity of the American government, to defraud the American taxpayer.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | September 10, 2009, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
It has been said that the President acted like and adult and the congressman was more like a child. While his interruption may have been inappropriate, it is not the demeanor of either that matters most to me. All that will be forgotten in a few days. It is the plan itself that will impact me and my family. That will be with us a whole lot longer — especially if it results in government taking over a major portion of our private sector economy, rations coverage, and costs as much as has been projected.
Posted by: bkm | September 10, 2009, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
Your wrong Boehner President Obamas speech about Healthcare is dead on and you lying fear mongering Republicans know it, you can fool the 20 percent of your party but you cant fool the majority of the people your Just Jealous because you Pathetic Party is BANKRUPT What have you done for the American People throughout your Political career besides lie and Fear monger? all the Republican party offers these days are LIES FEAR MONGERING AND TANTRUMS GROW UP AND WORK FOR THE PEOPLE DO THE JOB YOU WERE SENT THERE TO DO OR RESIGN!
Posted by: Angie in PA | September 10, 2009, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Sammy – get Charlie Rangel and Chris Dodds thoughts on the integrity of the democrat party.
Posted by: jamescbuilder | September 10, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
Downright stupid……No respect. Is Joe teaching YOUR and his children how to disrespect the institution and the Constitution? How about HIM speaking to the school children!
Posted by: sara | September 10, 2009, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
This is just the way they roll in South Carolina. This is a state that is still stuck in the civil war era. They are an embarrassment to the Union.
Posted by: JA | September 10, 2009, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
He must have been saying this to his governor….Sanford, the other “crook”.
Posted by: sara | September 10, 2009, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
RED-FACED and stupid…. apologized? He’s still sticking by HIS LIE. There’s nothing in the bill that says my tax dollars will pay for illegal immigrants…… “scare tactics” is better than no tac. Kick him out.
Posted by: sara | September 10, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Could there be a star forming from the GOP?? Now make it right and lets fix health care so everyone can benefit. Can you take the next step Congressman Boehner. What we have now will not last. We need effective health care and the only thing that will hold prices in check is the public option and like the president said it’s only there if there is not effective competition.
Posted by: rightbehind | September 10, 2009, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
Clearly, it’s going to be a very long 8 years for whining Republican losers.
Posted by: Sammy | September 10, 2009, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
Boehner is just as bad…. undercover. He told the idiot to “apologize”…. wink, wink.
Posted by: sara | September 10, 2009, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
When the GOP sells it soul to cable TV wing nuts like Beck and radio talk show drug addicts like Limbaugh, its elected leaders evolve downwards, toward the gutter. That GOP evolution over the past 30 years.
Posted by: Steve from Danville | September 10, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
GOP: you make me sick. You stand around and clap your hands while neophytes like Palin run you into the ground. You gave us a Trillion dollar defecit when you started an unnecessary war and gave tax breaks to multi-miilionaires, and then never bothered to replenish the lost revenues at the Treasury.
Posted by: Steve from Danville | September 10, 2009, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
There is a time and place for everything, and last night was not the time for Rep. Wilson to voice his opinion of Obama’s words.
That said, Obama WAS lying, and that’s the real story. And that’s what many people are talking about today – yeah, it was inappropriate, but it’s true. Illegals aliens will receive free healthcare under Obamacare – at taxpayer’s expense.
Posted by: Janet | September 10, 2009, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
I’m glad we have such a centrist president that has the ability to bring everybody together with his transparency and open-mindedness. I’m even more excited to know that people actually want these idiots in washington running our lives. I certainly trust elected bureaucrats’ decisions about what’s best for me than my own. Who cares if the Republicans “never did anything for us while in office”. Do something for yourself.
Posted by: newt2012 | September 10, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
People. Get over it. He’s the President and demands respect. If Mr. Wilson has the solution, the President is willing to listen. Let’s ask if he does have the solution? As a matter of fact, anyone have the solution?
Posted by: Charlene | September 10, 2009, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
And Steve from Danville, if you actually listened to Glenn Beck, you would understand that he is not a Republican pundit. He trashed Bush just as much as Obama. He stands for limited government, and Obama happens to be growing government faster than any president since FDR, creating entitlements that can never be undone, and using taxes to redistribute wealth from people who work for it to people that don’t. If you’re a fan of that, move to Europe, they have been doing it there for years. You’ll be back in no time begging for capitalism to give you back the life you took for granted. Glenn Beck will still be on the air with his top ratings saying “I told you so.”
Posted by: newt2012 | September 10, 2009, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm
Charlene, he is actually not willing to listen. He hasn’t invited Republicans to the White House for health care discussions since April. Look it up. And yes, they do have a solution. Short term: tort reform, allow people (employers, cooperatives, etc.) to purchase individual and group insurance across state lines (more competition=lower prices). Long term: Health Savings accounts, more self-accountability. If there is less demand for health insurance, there will be chepaer premiums. My company matches my HSA just like a 401k account. I invest pre-tax into the account, and use it to pay for doctors visits. The premiums I pay go to an insurance for if I get really sick or something really bad happens, which since that’s all they have to cover, it’s really really cheap.
Posted by: newt2012 | September 10, 2009, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
Sen. Boehner: Yes, it was a lecture. However, you apparently didn’t understand that it was not directed at the American people. It was directed at you, and the members of the Republican party that you have trained to move in lock-step with you. You all made up you minds before the speech, so you sat on your hands while the President gave a remarkable speech, outlining a plan that will benefit ALL Americans. Shame on you.
Posted by: justsane | September 10, 2009, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm
After the GOP finishes spending all of that Insurance/Medical company money we’ll still be paying off Bush’s war, and many American families will still be living in third world style.
Posted by: Mike | September 10, 2009, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
Wison and his sons get great government health care from the VA.
I got an idea. I if they really think government run health care is no good, they should give up their claim to VA benefits and go out and purchase private coverage like the rest of us suckers who haven’t worked for the government.
I’m sick and tired of holier than thou politicians who drink at the public trough while trying to keep the rest of us at bay
Posted by: Norris Hall | September 11, 2009, 1:33 am 1:33 am
Let me remind folks that the 3 branches of government, the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive, are co-equals. Yes, Mr. Wilson may not have chosen the most appropriate time to have an outburst of discontent with the President’s lying, but you people are acting as if Obama was some god. Get over it, period! Of course, it could be much worse. Just look at South Korea’s parliament. Now they have a slug fest when their politicians disagree. Or look at Italy’s. Man, that looks like fun. All kidding aside. The President is the enforcer of the laws congress passes. His title, commander in chief, is sometimes carried a bit too far. Lest I remind you that that title and its meaning are appropriate within the military confines. He is the commander in chief of the United States military. Outside of that, he is just our President. That is all. Unless, of course, you all are insinuating that we’re a military state and we must all pay homage to Caesar. So, folks, go back to your history books and our Constitution and read up on it. And lastly, these three branches of government are there to serve the people. Not the other way around. Just some food for thought. :)
Posted by: Mike | September 11, 2009, 5:45 am 5:45 am
Since the dems booed GWB on 2005 at the SOTU address, it’s a bit whiney for them to criticize Wilson for 1 true comment.
Just curious as to why ABC isn’t covering the latest ACORN scandel.
We need a press that reports, not opinionates.
Posted by: T Marshall | September 11, 2009, 6:36 am 6:36 am
Joe Wilson said what a lot of Americans are thinking.
Posted by: DANIEL | September 11, 2009, 9:26 am 9:26 am
Inappropriate and very very true. Obama is a liar or knows nothing of what happens in this country.
Posted by: Joe Eckhardt | September 11, 2009, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm
Dems heckled Bush in the state of the union; wasn’t made that big of a deal by the mainstream media jokers.
Obama is lame and needs to go. He lies, and him and his pathetic cronies seek to have their way by censuring, ridiculing anyone who disagrees with them. This is kinda what communists do, its called a struggle session. Someone disagrees with you in a communist country they take you to the public square where everyone calls you names and says you are insane. Here in America, the media does this. Disagree with Obama and you are called, racist, a nut. 21st century struggle session in America.
Rise Against the fat liberal cats and this joke of a leader named Obama.
Posted by: Uprising | September 11, 2009, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
I really like John, but I disagree with him on this one. There was only one person telling the truth that night, and it was Joe.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | September 11, 2009, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
Finally someone had the courage to shout,” The emperor has no clothes.”
Posted by: buckaroobonsai4545 | September 12, 2009, 1:00 am 1:00 am
I’ll say it again……when was the last time you heard a sitting President offering a major address in which he called the opposing party’s comments, statements, arguments for or against the President’s legislative wishes “LIES,etc. etc.” You will have go back pretty far into our history to find this kind of nonsense from a President. What do we do now….censure both of them???????
Posted by: justj joey | September 12, 2009, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm