More on Wilson's "Official Sanction"

Jillian Bandes | September 15, 2009 8:22 AM

As Meredith reported earlier, Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives will issue a "resolution of disapproval" against South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson (R) after his "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech last week.

What I find fascinating about this development is how closely it follows one of the largest protests in recent memory, the 9/12 march on Washington, during which hundreds of thousands of people voiced their support for Wilson. Many protesters asked Wilson to run for President. Calls of "Obama, you DO lie!" flooded Pennsylvania Avenue and the Capitol lawn.

But inside the walls of the Capitol, it's a whole 'nother story. Wilson insisted he would not issue an official apology — though he did so in an unofficial apology to Rahm Emmanuel and others. Oh ya, and he apologized personally to President Obama twice. But the fact that he refused to make an official show of it really got under Democratic leaders' skin. So nearly a week after the fact, they're going to continue to condemn him.

What's really going to be interesting is that many Republican Congressmen also condemned Wilson's behavior, but an official vote of disapproval against him could hurt them politically given Wilson's widespread support by their own constituents. Lets see which Republican officials are strong enough to stand up to Democratic leadership and respect this new conservative grassroots hero.