It was a resolution of disapproval---the absolute WEAKEST motion you can do. IT's not even censure, it's just "disapproval" of his blantant, abhorrent and racist behavior. (And it is racist...never in its 220 year history has a member of Congress heckled a president while giving an address to that body).
The resolution passed 240-179.
12 Democrats, however, voted NO. Including that little troll Kucinich, no explanation given.
12 Democrats who couldn't even vote for the weakest admonishment for Joe Wilson:
- Arcuri
- Delahunt
- Giffords
- Hinchey
- Hodes
- Kucinich
- Maffei
- Massa
- McDermott
- Moore
- Taylor
- Teague
The full list of every member is here.
Two years ago, when MoveOn.org took out an ad in the New York Times telling the truth about the situation in Iraq, spineless Dems Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi INTRODUCED bills admonishing the group because of GOP demands.
MoveOn is a liberal, partisan organization. They had every right to take out an ad as Rush Limbaugh has to spew venem and lies... such as when he called soldiers who disagreed with him "phony".
But Joe W. is a member of Congress. Representatives are supposed to act like adults and allow a president to give his address without cat-calling. Never did a Democrat scream "Liar" to George W. even when he was spewing so much bullcrap it made me sick. He was the president and entitled to a modicum of respect. Obama can't even get certain representatives to admit he's a citizen.
For that, Wilson is very lucky that Dems are spineless. As an an acting National Guard officer and a member of the Reserve, he could have been court-martialed:
888. ART. 88. CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS
"Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."
Wilson embarrassed himself and the body he represents. Yes, he apologized to Obama, but his uncivility is UNPRECEDENTED in Congress and he owes an apology on the House floor. He refused...and 12 people in my own party think that's dandy.
UPDATE: I have been ticked at Kucinich ever since he went on Fox News and defended them when they were going to host a Democratic debate. Now the troll has a drive-by diary here on DKos. I would ask him to clarify, but he doesn't read the comments. So don't bother commenting---his own staff admits he doesn't read the responses.)