Shouting & Clapping: A Bad Night For South Carolina GOPers
By now, most people are familiar with South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's inappropriate outburst during the president's address to Congress. Less noticed, however, was that South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham nearly applauded the president's defense of a public option. Was he simply caught up in the moment or does Sen. Graham secretly agree with the president's argument?
The "You Lie!" Heard 'Round The World
As Rep. Charles Boustany was preparing to deliver the "official" Republican rebuttal to President Obama's speech, he was preempted by a disgraceful outburst from Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC).
Wilson's disrespectful remark not only offended the nation and muddled the GOP's message, but it was simply not true.
Sen. Graham's Pump Faked Applause
A less noticed, though potentially more significant, moment for South Carolinians occurred when the president was outlining his plan for a public option.
President Obama outlined the virtues of a public insurance option, emphasizing that it:
could provide a good deal for consumers, and would also keep pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable and treat their customers better, the same way public colleges and universities provide additional choice and competition to students without in any way inhibiting a vibrant system of private colleges and universities.
At that moment, Sen. Graham was caught on video beginning to join Democrats in applauding the president. Was he simply caught up in the moment or does Sen. Graham secretly agree with the logic behind the president's argument?
Take a look:
