For Joe Wilson and the GOP, Rudeness Pays $$$
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Rewarding bad behavior only encourages it.
Republican Joe Wilson screamed “You lie!” during Obama’s State of the Union speech and now he’s been rewarded by the GOP to help raise money across the country:
The Republican Party is using the newfound fame of the lawmaker who shouted “You lie!” at President Obama to raise money for GOP candidates around the country.
Although party leaders initially called Rep. Joe Wilson’s presidential insult disrespectful and unacceptable, fundraisers have apparently decided his outburst can be an asset.
Wilson, a previously obscure South Carolina Republican, is slated to appear at a fundraiser next month for Tim Walberg, a former Michigan Republican congressman. Attendees can get a photo with Wilson for $150. He is soliciting money for statehouse Republicans in Virginia, and this week the GOP’s national fundraising arm sent out a nationwide plea from Wilson asking conservatives to combat Democratic efforts to “spin and mislead the public” on health care reform.
“If we can raise more money than the Democrats, we’ll send a message to (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi, Obama, and their friends that the American people are firmly behind the Republicans in opposition to government-run health care,” he wrote in the new national plea.
Andy Sere, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, defended the new national strategy, saying Wilson is now a “national figure” who is raising important concerns.
“I think the substance of his argument is correct, and that’s why we’re working in tandem with him to raise money,” Sere said.
Regardless of his fame, I disagree with the tactless move by the GOP. Wilson should be condemned for interrupting a president during his most important speech of the year. The fact is, a rational argument may be made afterwards in a rebuttal or via a press release.
If Republicans are to gain and hold the moral high ground over Democrats they cannot reward behavior like this. I think it is a base, tasteless move but, sadly, in the era of personal, partisan politics it appears to be the new norm.
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8:23 AM
It is disturbing that such behavior has been rewarded to such a degree. It is not even about taking moral high ground when the breaking of basic rules of procedure is rewarded. At that stage, any outburst or self serving behavior is being promoted in an environment where people should be acting as leaders and championing intelligent debate.
.-= Wellescent Health Blog´s last blog ..The Preventable High Speed Plague =-.
9:45 AM
I guess you don’t follow our Democractic politicians very closely.
10:55 AM
The efficiency of the market is being unleashed. The verdict: standing up to Barack Obama sells. Maybe Joe Wilson should give up politics and replace Paula on American Idol where speaking his mind can earn him a morally acceptable profit.
Barack Obama’s handlers have done a pretty good job of keeping him away from venues where his ideas might be challenged. This move isn’t in line with some aspects of American culture.
.-= burro´s last blog ..Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess… =-.
11:12 AM
Right idea, wrong venue for Joe. Obama is never challenged on anything which is why he won’t go on FOX News.
I do agree with your social satire, however.
1:55 PM
Hans I’m not sure if you’re misinformed or illinformed or perhaps a little of both.
5:30 PM
“you people are brainwashed by your Karl Roves, Limbaughs and Glenn Becks…and you are still proud of it?”
Within the realm of logic and reason this statement is markedly subnormal.
“I see a lot of left, right, centrist blogs, newspapers lately (USA) but in general the ‘right wingers’ are often so aggresive, full of idiotry, etc.”
Your kaleidoscopic reality astounds me.
.-= theLibertyPen´s last blog ..Health Care Is Not An Unalienable Right part 3 =-.
11:45 PM
Since you seem to be a master of American politics let us have a debate. The verity of my words are still drawn from rational inference.
“but in general the ‘right wingers’ are often so aggresive, full of idiotry..”
Are you even familiar with the English language? Your use of argumentum ad hominem is strikingly enigmatic considering your prose. In point of fact I am hypercritical, but having read many of your comments I would not classify them among the most informed or sagacious. What you purvey are emotively tainted responses from a European perspective, which is none the more wiser. Again, I stand by my words as they reflect perfectly the symmetry of your comments.
.-= theLibertyPen´s last blog ..Health Care Is Not An Unalienable Right part 3 =-.
7:31 AM
Hans, again, you provide no significant refutation and I am not a right winger, as you like to call it. And yes, I am familiar with Latin. Leave if you wish, you do a disservice to Harrison if you do. For even though I view your comments as lacking in any substance, you should never neglect an opportunity to be educated. And you didn’t provide an answer to my first sentence.
.-= theLibertyPen´s last blog ..Health Care Is Not An Unalienable Right part 3 =-.
9:55 AM
Hans, I’m sorry to see you go I will remove your website from my Blogroll however keep in mind if you visit someone’s site and throw bombs there don’t be surprised if there are some explosions.
2:57 PM
Again, and quite sadly, the context of my words lacks proper attentiveness on your part. First, I stated that I was “familiar” with Latin – I did not state that my knowledge was an omniscient grasp of this beautiful language. Your presumptuous nature is your flaw. I will address this one last time;
Your statement: “you people are brainwashed by your Karl Roves, Limbaughs and Glenn Becks…and you are still proud of it?”
My reply: Within the realm of logic and reason this statement is markedly subnormal.
My critique is assigned to your statement, not the man. If you are disinclined to make that connection then perhaps it does say something about the person, but my original reference bears no connection.
Your statement: “I see a lot of left, right, centrist blogs, newspapers lately (USA) but in general the ‘right wingers’ are often so aggresive, full of idiotry, etc.”
My reply: Your kaleidoscopic reality astounds me.
Astound means to bewilder, do you understand what kaleidoscopic reality means? Together your view of reality bewilders me, nothing more. Again you seek to find insult where none is present, and thus your usage of ad hominem appears to be transparently manufactured.
“And do some reserach about who created Big Government…it was Reagan’s administration, and Georger W. Bush spendings.”
I never brought this into question, you’re missing the entire point.
.-= theLibertyPen´s last blog ..Health Care Is Not An Unalienable Right part 3 =-.