EDITORIAL: Rep. Wilson insulted himself, SC

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., disgraced himself and the state when he interrupted President Barack Obama by shouting, “You lie,” during the commander in chief’s nationally televised speech before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night.

Wilson’s meltdown as the president talked about health-care reform was another humiliating moment for a state already embarrassed by the disgraceful actions of Gov. Mark Sanford. Even as Sanford goes around the state apologizing for breaching the public’s trust and using state resources for his personal benefit, Wilson bursts into living rooms from coast to coast with his odd behavior.

This is just what South Carolina needs: another public official on an apology tour, attempting to explain his lack of judgment.

Wilson represents a conservative wing of the Republican Party that has taken opposition to health-care reform to extreme measures. Nearly everyone agrees the system needs fixing, yet the president’s opponents turn to immaturity and distortion to win the debate.

Obama triggered Wilson’s unwise comments when he said universal health care would not cover illegal immigrants.

The president went on with his speech as stunned Democrats and Republicans glared in Wilson’s direction. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who represents the largest portion of the Pee Dee, was outraged, as everyone in the state should be.

To his credit, Wilson apologized and braced himself for an avalanche of criticism. “This evening, I let my emotions get the best of me,” Wilson said in a statement. “While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.”

Wilson’s moment of weakness will thrust him into the spotlight. He’ll become a face for foes to health-care reform.

As his face flashes across television screens and shows up as fodder for those who want to pile on South Carolina, it’s worth asking: Who is Joe Wilson, and how in the world did he ever win election to Congress? The name Joe Wilson will be one of the most-searched items on the Internet this week.

Here’s what we know about Wilson: His supporters know he’s a talented 62-year-old Columbia lawyer who has been involved in politics since he was a teen. He represents South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, which spans from Columbia to Beaufort and Hilton Head. He was once an aide for the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., and worked in the Reagan administration as a deputy general counsel for former Gov. Jim Edwards at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Wilson was elected to Congress in 2001 after the death of former Congressman Floyd Spence. He faced his toughest re-election battle in 2008, beating Democrat Rob Miller with only 54 percent of the vote. Miller, who is planning to challenge Wilson again in 2010, will benefit from a fundraising windfall as a result of Wilson’s fall from grace. Miller reportedly raised more than $400,000 in the 24 hours after Wilson’s remarks.

In Congress, Wilson has made a difference on many issues. He has been passionate about teacher retention, tax credits for adoption and outlawing video poker. He has been an advocate for safe water and sanitation for developing nations. Unfortunately for Wilson, his political obituary will not focus on his accomplishments. If health-care reform is delayed, it will not be because Wilson accused the president of lying.

Unfortunately for South Carolina, Wilson has given the state another black eye at a time when it cannot afford another bruising. His apology rings hollow at a time when state politicians find their credibility at an all-time low.

Residents of this state do not deserve what Sanford and Wilson have done to them. This is a state wary of federal interference and the tentacles of politicians.

But it’s also a land of good, kind, hard-working people who value their reputation. We do not need the sarcasm, snickers and unsavory spotlight.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).