Does Joe Wilson Believe the President Was Actually Lying?

Does Joe Wilson Believe the President Was Actually Lying?

Does Joe Wilson Believe the President Was Actually Lying?

It’s pretty clear to me that Wilson’s outburst wasn’t calculated grandstanding but a genuine moment of rage and frustration. Just look at the photo. That’s a genuinely pissed off dude.

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flipboard
Pocket

First of all: I’m back! Somewhere in the Bible it decrees that blogs must be left fallow in August, which explains my absence.

Like everyone else I watched the speech last night. (Quick review: deft explanation of the policy, a few unnecessary political concessions, extremely aggravating lefty-bashing, and genuinely fantastic inspirational finish). And like everyone else I’ve been following the Joe Wilson "You Lie!" flap.

Now here’s what I think is most fascinating about the incident: It’s pretty clear to me that Wilson’s outburst wasn’t calculated grandstanding but a genuine moment of rage and frustration. Just look at the photo. That’s a genuinely pissed off dude.

But the thing is: Obama wasn’t lying. Illegal immigrants are explicitly barred from the provisions of the legislation.

Here’s what I find fascinating. There’s been a ton of viral emails floating around the right-wing making the claim that the bill covers illegal immigrants, and talk radio has been whipping up the fervor as well. Wilson clearly thinks that is, indeed, the case. But he’s a sitting member of Congress! One would imagine he gets his information about pending legislation from reading it itself or being briefed by his staff, not from viral emails in his inbox.

But that sums up the House GOP caucus. By and large it’s made up of absolute and total wingnuts, people who are in ideology disposition and even function much more like talk show hosts or RedState commenters than they are legislators.

Can we count on you?

In the coming election, the fate of our democracy and fundamental civil rights are on the ballot. The conservative architects of Project 2025 are scheming to institutionalize Donald Trump’s authoritarian vision across all levels of government if he should win.

We’ve already seen events that fill us with both dread and cautious optimism—throughout it all, The Nation has been a bulwark against misinformation and an advocate for bold, principled perspectives. Our dedicated writers have sat down with Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders for interviews, unpacked the shallow right-wing populist appeals of J.D. Vance, and debated the pathway for a Democratic victory in November.

Stories like these and the one you just read are vital at this critical juncture in our country’s history. Now more than ever, we need clear-eyed and deeply reported independent journalism to make sense of the headlines and sort fact from fiction. Donate today and join our 160-year legacy of speaking truth to power and uplifting the voices of grassroots advocates.

Throughout 2024 and what is likely the defining election of our lifetimes, we need your support to continue publishing the insightful journalism you rely on.

Thank you,
The Editors of The Nation

Ad Policy
x