New York Times congressional reporter Carl Hulse ignored his own reporting yesterday when condemning Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress, with Hulse insisting it was a wholly unprecedented outburst. Yet in a 2005 story Hulse admitted Democrats had "hollered" at Bush during the State of the Union when Bush brought up Social Security reform.
Hulse took another bite out of Wilson today, in a story co-written with regional reporter Robbie Brown, datelined Swansea, S.C., "Heckler's District Mostly Supports the Outburst." At least today's story provided a single sentence pointing out that President George W. Bush "drew derisive hoots from Democrats" in his 2005 State of the Union address, while insisting that Wilson's outburst was worse.
In Washington, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina was sharply criticized by both Democrats and his fellow Republicans for shouting "You lie!" during President Obama's health care address on Wednesday. But here in his strongly Republican Congressional district on Thursday, he was celebrated by many of his constituents for his outburst.
....
Some figures on the right, including the broadcaster Rush Limbaugh and Michelle Malkin, a blogger, said Mr. Wilson, who was previously known mainly for backing the Iraq war, had nothing to apologize for and should instead be hailed for his willingness to challenge Mr. Obama on the particulars of his plan.
Some Republicans noted that President George W. Bush drew derisive hoots from Democrats when he made his case for Social Security changes during his 2005 State of the Union address. But Mr. Wilson's Republican colleagues overwhelmingly took the position that he had exceeded the bounds of Congressional decorum and that he took the right step by quickly admitting it.
Just that one lonely sentence is devoted to the "derisive hoots" Bush got in 2005, which Times Watch first noted yesterday. That specific description of "derisive hoots" was evidently lifted from a contemporaneous report on February 3, 2005 by Times colleagues Richard Stevenson and David Sanger:
He was relaxed and smooth in his delivery, even when some Democrats hooted in derision at his assertions that Social Security is in dire financial straits.
Why didn't Hulse simply quote his own reporting? From a February 3, 2005 story by Hulse and Adam Nagourney, as cited by Times Watch yesterday:
Democrats hollered "no, no!" as Mr. Bush asserted that the Social Security system "would be exhausted and bankrupt" in 40 years, making it appear for a moment that Mr. Bush was standing in the well at the British House of Commons.
—Clay Waters is the director of Times Watch, an MRC project tracking the New York Times.
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“In Washington,
September 11, 2009 - 15:11 ET by ninerdog“In Washington, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina was sharply criticized by both Democrats and his fellow Republicans” Apparently the Republican leadership does not get it. I say we vote them all out.
Oh, those ever so polite
September 11, 2009 - 15:26 ET by Chris NormanOh, those ever so polite Republicans, who'd rather feed one of their own to the jackals in the media to prove their civility than to ever, ever, stand firm and win.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
That's right, Chris; the
September 11, 2009 - 15:33 ET by motherbeltThat's right, Chris; the "abused wives" whimper again!
I said elsewhere that any day now they will start pressuring McCain to force him to resign.
The GOP
September 11, 2009 - 16:29 ET by merlin61When oh when are the Repubs gonna get a set?
In another post I've
September 11, 2009 - 18:16 ET by FastEdpointed out that Will was "factually" wrong, but technically correct - there is NO requirement for anyone, citizen or not, to prove citizen ship, inorder to receive medical attention - so you seemingly courageous repubs - start showing some, getting stepped on, all the time, is NOT all that attractive.
Proud member of the MOB - Move Over Barack, we want our country back!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
For one thing, President
September 11, 2009 - 20:54 ET by RR GOPFor one thing, President Bush was speaking at a State of the Union assembly, not a "gonna try to save my ideologically-based pet project" ad from the bully pulpit based upon the prestige of the White House.
If the Dems had been more respectful towards President Bush, I would not be supportive of Congressman Wilson. But, they weren't so I am.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Breaking Decrum
September 12, 2009 - 00:29 ET by richb313Lets be honest what Rep Joe Wilson said did break decorum. He apologized for it, Obama accepted it end of story. To call someone a liar in either house of congress is not allowed. It is also Breaking Decorum to boo, cat call or otherwise insult a person while speaking. These rules have always been selectively enforced by whatever party is in power. Everyone is making way too much of this incident. What is not in question, at least to me, is the accuracy of what Rep. Joe Wilson said in a moment of passion. The proof of this is how quickly the house has moved to amend the bill to include a social security card is now needed to get the public option. It was not in there when President Obama incorrectly told us that no illegal aliens would be covered.
When Obama said it to call him a liar was accurate. In order to cover his ass they have changed the bill, at least temporarily. We do not know what will be in what ever bill is signed because that is never the bill voted on in congress or the senate. There are always differences that are worked out after and no one can tell what the final version will be.