What do you think of Congress’ behavior during Obama’s speech?
Rep. Joe Wilson shouts/Getty Images
Columnist Dana Milbank of the Washington Post — by virtue of being a columnist — is permitted to offer commentary in an article he wrote about Congress’ behavior during President Barack Obama’s speech last night.
Much of Milbank’s column is devoted to describing the scene. But he clearly offers his thoughts. Below are some excerpts from Milbank’s article –“The Republican Response, Arriving a Little Early.“ What are your thoughts about his descriptions? Accurate depictions of what happened? How about his views on what crossed the line?
Milbank begins by saying “the nation’s rapidly deteriorating discourse hit yet another low” as he describes the Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., “You lie” scene.
Milbank continues:
Wilson was only the most flagrant. There was booing from House Republicans when the president caricatured a conservative argument by saying they would “leave individuals to buy health insurance on their own.” They hissed when he protested their “scare tactics.” They grumbled as they do in Britain’s House of Commons when Obama spoke of the “blizzard of charges and countercharges.”
When he asserted that “nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have,” there was scoffing and outright laughter on the GOP side. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (Tex.) shook his head in disbelief. Several Republicans shouted “What plan?” and Rep. Louis Gohmert (Tex.) waved at Obama a handwritten poster he made on a letter-size piece of paper: “WHAT PLAN?” Gohmert then took that down and replaced it with another handmade poster that said “WHAT BILL?”
Here are more excerpts:
- And, in truth, there were provocations from the Democratic side. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), sitting on the Republican side, insisted on making a victory sign with his hand and waving it at Obama. Rep. Al Green (D-Tex.), also on the GOP side of the aisle, felt the need to pound his fist in the air and make what looked, awkwardly, like a fascist salute.
- But while the majority of both parties’ lawmakers behaved as adults, the insolence by House Republicans stole the show. There was derisive laughter on that side of the chamber when Obama noted that “there remain some significant details to be ironed out.” They applauded as he spoke of “all the misinformation that’s been spread over the past few months.” They laughed again when he said that “many Americans have grown nervous about reform.”
- Even as Obama delivered a tribute to the late senator Ted Kennedy, Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga), a leader of House conservatives, perused his BlackBerry. Shortly before the speech ended, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) walked out to beat the rush
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Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
– Have you ever viewed a session of British Parliament? This wouldn’t even make the news.
–It is however a symbolic gesture, not unlike the first shot fired at Fort Sumpter that started the Civil War.
–Joe Wilson just got on the short list for 2012.
Well, what do you expect? Some members of Congress “outwelfare” welfare recipients with their high salaries and their premium health care and retirement plans on the taxpayer’s dime.
I love how the poll is asking about how bad we all must think the Republicans acted during the speech last night, but not asking how bad we all think the Democrats have acted over the past 8 years.
Back when they protested Bush, Dems wanted to be called Patriots. Now, when Republicans protest Obama, we’re rightwing extremists and teabaggers.
We’re supposed to respect Obama because he’s the president, but yet it was alright for Harry Reid to call Bush a loser and a liar even though he was the president.
Liberal hypocrisy is in full force.
respect for the residency sounds like the old King George crowd of revolutionary times. THE PRESIDENT & CONGRESS WORK FOR THE PEOPLE!!! Please keep it that way and stop being sheep.
“You lie!”
Were it said during a State of the Union address, it would be inappropriate.
Since this was not — it was a totally political speech — and since The TelePrompTer Jesus was prevaricating at an amazing clip…
…Joe Wilson will become a national folk hero.
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Republicans are always apalling to me. The boos, who cares, that’s been around forever, but the “You lie”, that man should learn some manners. I never watched a Bush address because it was painful with his idiot stammering, his complete lack of knowledge on anything, and also that he was a loser and a liar, but I expect that except for the outburst, he received his share of boos as well. Big deal. He should have been impeached for the lies he told that have cost this country and many innocent civilian lives.
Well, if the Democrats were disrespectful to George it’s okay for the Republicans to be disrespectful to Barack.
And if everyone else was speeding, it’s okay for you to speed.
And if everyone else is looting, it’s okay for you to loot.
The bad behavior of others does not excuse your own bad behavior. I don’t care if I think this president, the past president(s) or the current president is a big bag of wind, he is the president and deserves some respect.
And now I expect to be roundly hooted down by some tiny minds so I’ll sign off.
dr-de, this wasn’t the equivalent of a session of British Parliament. Those occur regularly, as our house & senate session do. This was a Presidential address to the joint houses of congress. A different, inappropriate, setting for this behavior.
Nick, I don’t recall the dems stooping to this level, during a Bush address.
Everyone has their right to speak. Even question the president and call him out, if they disagree. Just have some couth and decorum, recognize the appropriate setting for such.
I’m proud of the guy for yelling out the truth; Obama’s entire campaign & administration is a lie.
Well now we understand how there is not much hope for much anything but ignorance and hypocrisy coming from the followers of the Conservative Republicans. Look at the ignorant behavior of their leaders and how that certain element is loving such ignorant behavior.
All of this ignorance is going to backfire, LIES and ALL!