Democratic leaders want South Carolina Republican Congressman Joe Wilson to apologize again for his "You lie!" outburst - this time on the House floor.
But he says his apology to the president is enough.
One Democrat who supports the resolution of disapproval says Wilson's outburst was racially motivated.
"He did not help the cause of diversity and tolerance with his remarks," said Rep. Henry Johnson of Georgia. "If I were a betting man I would say that it instigated more racist sentiment feeling that it's okay. You don't have to bury it now. You can bring it out and talk about it fully and so I guess we will probably have folks putting on white hoods and white uniforms again riding through the countryside
and intimidating people. That's the logical conclusion if this kind of attitude is not rebuked and Congressman Wilson represents it. He is the face of it and that's why I support the resolution," he said.
A reporter asked Johnson, "Just so I'm clear, it's your view that the Congressman might have treated the President differently if it was a white president?"
"I don't think it ever would have happened," said Johnson. "I don't think it ever would have happened. That's why it hasn't happened before. It only happened when this country elected a president of color."
Republicans said the vote is a distraction, and that lawmakers should be focusing on other issues.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement