Friday, September 25, 2009

Joe "You Lie" Wilson to stump Oct. 2 in Jackson

By TODD SPANGLER

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton is bringing South Carolina’s Joe Wilson — the Republican congressman who started a stir by shouting “You lie!” during President Barack Obama’s speech to Congress this month — to Michigan.

Walberg, a one-term Republican who was beaten in his re-election bid by Battle Creek Democrat Mark Schauer, announced the event on his campaign Web site, saying Wilson will be at the Commonwealth Conference Center in Jackson for a fund-raiser on Oct. 2.

It costs $150 for two tickets and a photo with Wilson at 7:30 a.m., or $20 a person to get into the 8 a.m. gathering. For more details, go to www.walbergforcongress.com.

Wilson apologized for his outburst — which came during a speech on health care to a joint session of Congress on Sept. 9 — and Obama accepted the apology. But it hasn't hurt Wilson’s popularity among many conservatives. On Walberg’s Web site under Wilson’s name, it says, “Stand for Truth.”

Wilson shouted, “You lie!” after the president said health care reform would not cover illegal immigrants. Critics have said that without plain language denying illegal immigrants entry into a public option health plan and federally mandated health care exchanges, it would effectively cover them — even though, the legislation clearly states they would not be eligible for federal premium subsidies.

A bill being debated in the Senate Finance Committee says that illegal immigrants would not be able to take part in the exchanges, and it excludes the public option entirely.

Sarah Blaney, Schauer’s spokeswoman, had this to say about the Walberg event: “By embracing his former colleague, Tim Walberg has made it clear that he embraces what is wrong with Washington and is not serious about fixing our broken health care system. If you are the company you keep, then Tim Walberg stands with Joe Wilson and the obstructionists.”

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

In that regard the Hillsdale Democratic Party is hosting a Dialogue on Health Care. Tomorrow in Hillsdale Mi. at noon at the Roxy Theatre 108 N. Howell St. besides health care professionals also in attendance will be Conressman Mark Schauer. This is a call to any and all Progressives anywhere near Hillsdale to show up and let Mark know we support his efforts to get real Health Care reform. Any who can come ask for Darrel we'll have a place for you!