Not Sure How He Gets Away With It

The premise for B.O.'s Big Speech to Congress on health care reform had to do with what he referred to as lies and distortions emanating from those who opposed health care reform. The "time for bickering is over," he declared. He then proceeded to lay out a plan for reform that apparently contained its own share of half-truths or distortions, which two days later are now being scrutinized. But rather than focus on this, the big news of the speech was not so much what the president said but what Republican representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina did, which was to interrupt the speech and call Obama out as a liar. Rude and inappropriate behavior to be sure, not befitting the solemnity of the moment. Wilson apparently apologized later, as he should have. But too much is being made of the outburst. It's not as though the Democrats have "clean hands" in this regard. (Did they never "boo" President Bush during his addresses to Congress? If so, did they apologize later?).

What's missing in all the chiding of Wilson is the fact that his reaction was gut-level and instinctive. Mona Charen, writing in NRO today, says that "similar exclamations were heard" at her house. And Kevin Williamson, also writing in NRO, says that Joe Wilson "could use a visit from Miss Manners," but he was telling the truth about Obama. The L.A. Times published a picture of three or four Republicans wafting their own versions of health care reform in response to Obama's claim that the "other side" has not offered any good ideas. And Joe Wilson's slur was a reaction to Obama's claim that his reform plan would not pay for illegal immigrants. Yet Republicans' attempts to ensure this by requiring proof of residency were not included in the House version of the bill. Wilson understood the game that was being played up there. Words are cheap. This President can "say" anything he wants. Truth and accuracy don't seem to matter. So the irony here is that Joe Wilson is being villified for calling Obama a liar, but President Obama, who probably is "dissembling" (let's not call him a liar), is praised. It's amazing to me. How does he do it?

Here's Kevin Williamson Joe Wilson is Rude but Right  and Mona Charen Obama's Trouble With Numbers