Last night Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina yelled out "You lie!" after Barack Obama asserted that the proposed bill - again, he says "plan," but has not proposed one, so we reference HR 3200, the only real bill on the table right now - will not cover illegal immigrants. The AP says that this may mark "a turning point for Dems."
The president's combativeness, coupled with Wilson's behavior, clearly energized Democrats — to the point where few were in a mood to criticize Obama's lack of specifics or the fact that he offered no ironclad commitment to inserting a robust public option in the final legislation.
If so, then the influenced members of the Democratic caucus are as shallow as a kiddie pool. One boorish and irresponsible outburst does not alter in any way the proposed legislation, the facts of the discussion, the disdain the American people feel for exploding deficits and overbearing government, or the political backlash those same Democrats will feel if they sign on to the bill. Besides which, as James Joyner notes at OTB, there is some question as to who called who a liar first last night.
While Wilson’s frustrated cry was inexcusable, however, it’s at least understandable. After all, Obama was indirectly calling him a liar. And being untruthful. From the speech:
Some of people’s concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim, made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Such a charge would be laughable if it weren’t so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple.
There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false – the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally. And one more misunderstanding I want to clear up – under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place. [emphasis added]
This, incidentally, was the from the prepared remarks, not off-the-cuff flourish. The president was deliberately poisoning the well, claiming that his opponents are dishonorable and ill-intentioned.
And, the Congressional Research Service has found that, indeed, the current bill will allow coverage of illegal immigrants. From Mark Tapscott.
In what he called the "first myth" being spread by critics of his proposal for a government-run health care system, Obama said they are wrong in claiming illegal immigrants will be covered: "That is not true. Illegal immigrants would not be covered. That idea has not even been on the table." Obama said.
Well, Mr. President, that idea must have been tucked under a stack of background briefing papers over there in the corner of the table because the Congressional Research Service (CRS) says this about H.R. 3200, the Obamacare bill approved just before the recess by the House Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-CA:
"Under H.R. 3200, a 'Health Insurance Exchange' would begin operation in 2013 and would offer private plans alongside a public option…H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitzens—whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently—participating in the Exchange."CRS also notes that the bill has no provision for requiring those seeking coverage or services to provided proof of citizenship.
Can you say that they're not covered if there's no mechanism for preventing them from accessing the system?
This is not to excuse Rep. Wilson, who, I'm quite sure, will find rough sledding for re-election in 2010, unless his district is uncommonly safe. There are ways, as Mr. Obama has shown, of saying the same thing - and in the appropriate time and place - without inducing cringes and loathing.
